On the Fringes

On the Fringes opens up the debate surrounding school exclusion and its link to special educational needs, and sets out action-oriented strategies designed to bring about a more inclusive approach.

The rate of exclusion of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is rocketing - even extending to very young children on the cusp of school life. In this book Jackie Ward examines this critical issue through the lens of her experiences in both mainstream education and a pupil referral unit (PRU) and offers practical guidance to ensure schools find solution-focused ways to provide for all of the children in their care.

Having seen first-hand the impact that exclusion has on children with often unmet medical needs (such as autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)), Jackie explores the realities of what exclusion means to each of us and discusses feasible strategies to help shape educational provision in line with a more inclusive agenda. In doing so she provides informed inspiration to teachers and SEND professionals working with some of our most vulnerable children, who - without our love and support - are too often destined for lives on the fringes of society.