Students, parents and policymakers unite to make ‘every child feel seen’

Students, parents and policy makers in Bristol united for a special event to find ways to make schools inclusive and a place for every young person to “thrive”.

With the number of persistent and severe absences in the South West higher than the national average, the ‘Ambitious About Inclusion’ event held at Oasis Academy in Brislington is a way to bring diverse voices to the table for more holistic solutions.

A collaboration between charity Mission 44 and thinktank Centre for Young Lives, the event in Bristol is part of a string of similar nationwide events set to be hosted through 2025 and 2026.

Students from Oasis Academy’s Hengrove and Brislington sites in Bristol attended the event

“I’ve seen how something as simple as a warm welcome, a chat with a trusted adult, or even making sure a child has eaten can turn their day around. Every child should feel seen, cared for and challenged in the right way,” CEO of Education South West Matthew Shanks said, outlining his experience on the issue over the years.

Shanks, who has been championing the issue regionally for years, joined the event on Tuesday to highlight strategies that could foster inclusion and make sure all children feel equally supported in their educational journeys.

Speaking after the event, he added: “If children are not in school then they cannot thrive. We need to consider a myriad of reasons behind absence.

“The work of Centre for Young Lives and Mission 44 is needed more than ever. When children feel anxious about school, the way we respond makes all the difference. At Education South West, the focus for us is creating that sense of belonging.”

With the ‘Ambitious About Incusion’ series, the hope is to ask the difficult questions and allow all players involved to present their side of the story. As chair and founder of the Centre of Young Lives, baroness Anne Longfield puts it, they are “to bring together people who could be a part of the solution” beyond shining a light on the issue.

She continued: “The rise in school absence, suspensions and exclusions should shock us all. Events like this one we are hosting are vital – they not only shine a light on the need for urgent action, but they bring together people who could be a part of the solution.”

“Across the South West we can see how too many children are missing out on learning, with all the consequences that can have for their life chances as adults.”

Mission 44, who spearhead the series alongside the national thinktank, are a charity founded by Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamlition who are committed to build a “fairer and more inclusive future” for young people.

Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission44 sees the‘Ambitious About Inclusion’ series as as having the potential to make a difference.

He added: “At Mission 44, we believe every young person deserves the chance to thrive at school, but the rise in absence, suspensions and exclusions shows that too many are losing out on learning.

“That’s why we’re bringing our ‘Ambitious About Inclusion’ series to the South West – to work directly with schools, parents, and communities on the ground to find solutions that meet local challenges.”

“By sharing best practice and empowering those already making a difference, we can help ensure all children in the South West are not denied their right to a high-quality, inclusive education.”

Main photo: Oasis Academy

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