Talking Inclusion… With Geoff Barton

"Reimagining inclusion through the arts" with Richard Hayhow

In this episode, Geoff Barton speaks with Richard Hayhow, Director of Open Theatre in Birmingham, about how the arts can unlock the creativity and capability of young people with learning disabilities.

"Inclusion begins with belonging" with SENDScope

In this episode, Geoff Barton speaks with Natalie Walsh and Jacqui Bebbington, Executive Principals of SENDScope [https://sendscope.co.uk/]Independent School in Liverpool, about how they support young people for whom mainstream education isn’t working. They discuss how a culture of belonging, high expectations, and adaptive teaching helps students re-engage with learning — and, in many cases, return to mainstream education with renewed confidence.

"Inclusion by design, not by chance" with John Camp

In this episode, Geoff Barton talks to John Camp OBE, Chief Executive Officer of the Compass Partnership of Schools. Sharing an important philosophy that inclusion starts with belonging, that parents must be partners, and that the most powerful agents of change are the adults in our schools.

"Inside the classrooms you didn’t know existed" with Cath Kitchen

In this episode, Geoff Barton speaks with Cath Kitchen, Chair of the National Association of Hospital Education, about the often-overlooked world of children with medical needs. Cath explains how hospital education covers not only hospital schools but also medical alternative provision, home tuition, and online learning — all supporting children too unwell to attend mainstream school. She highlights the postcode lottery in provision, where some children receive rich, full-time teaching and others only a few hours a week.

"EHCPs shouldn’t be the only way to get support" with John Pearce

In this episode, Geoff Barton speaks with John Pearce, Corporate Director for Children and Young People’s Services in County Durham, about the realities of inclusion and SEND provision in England. Drawing on over 30 years in local government, John explains the complex web of responsibilities local authorities hold — from managing EHCPs to ensuring educational outcomes for all children — often without the powers or resources to fully deliver them.