Dear colleagues,

As we conclude Semester 2, we want to extend our sincere thanks for your continued dedication and support of our students and colleagues throughout the academic year.

We’re also pleased to share a brief update on the progress made in inclusive education since our last communication in October.

Why Inclusive Education Matters

This work has been shaped by several internal and external drivers, including:

  • The updated advice from the Equality & Human Rights Commission (EHRC) in July 2024
  • An internal audit of our support for disabled students
  • An ongoing increase in Disability Access Plans (DAPs) and Individual Mitigating Circumstances (IMC) claims over the past five years.

These factors, and others, highlighted the need to review our inclusive education practices, policies, and processes in line with the Equality Act 2010, to better support students with disabilities, long-term health conditions, and specific learning difficulties.

Progress

A leadership group was convened to assess current practices and recommend next steps. Their work included a risk review, sector analysis, and a detailed baseline assessment of our IMC and DAP processes. Their recommendations, endorsed by UEB and Senate, led to the formation of the Inclusive Education Steering Group (IESG), which is now overseeing a series of strategic projects.

The IESG has launched five workstreams, each co-led by academic and professional services staff:

  • Student & Staff Awareness & Engagement – Lynn Li and Nathalia Gjersoe
  • DAP Enhancement – Nic Streatfield and Gail Forey
  • Inclusive Teaching – Chris Bonfield and Andrew Burrows
  • Inclusive Assessment – Chris Bonfield and Marion Harney/Tim Wakeley
  • Additional Considerations (e.g. IMCs) – Ian Blenkharn and Momna Hejmadi

Members of the IESG have been engaging with colleagues across various committees and forums (e.g. F/S LTQCs, DOS/DOT Forum, EDI Network) to share updates and gather feedback on the workstream plans.

Explore the Inclusive Education Project Portal

To learn more about this work including useful FAQs, please visit the Inclusive Education Project information portal here. You can follow the site for updates and use the contact form to ask questions, suggest additional content, or register your interest to be more involved.

Recent updates include the introduction of a Disability Access Plan (DAP) Implementation Survey, sent from the Disability Service to all students with a DAP, due to close on 27 June. The Steering Group and Inclusive Teaching workstream have developed 10 recommendations for academic staff to review over the summer, aimed at supporting inclusive education practices and helping colleagues feel confident in seeking further support for the 2025–26 academic year.

Guidance and Support

Please remember, colleagues are not expected to manage complex student and emergent disability cases alone. Reach out to Directors of Studies who can seek advice from Faculty Assistant Registrars, Directors of Teaching or Associate Deans (Education). Colleagues in the Faculties/School can also liaise with specialist services such as the Disability Service, Centre for Learning and Teaching, and Academic Registry. The Student Support and Safeguarding Teams are also available to provide wellbeing support to students.

Thank you once again for your commitment to inclusive education and for supporting our students and each other throughout the year.

With best wishes,

Professor Cassie Wilson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Student Experience)

Professor Julian Chaudhuri, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education)