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How to develop your inclusion strategy

By the end of the year, you must publish an inclusion strategy that details how you intend to alleviate barriers to learning. Understand how to create an inclusion strategy that meets your inclusive mainstream fund (IMF) grant requirements and builds a strong inclusive core offer.

New
on 6 July 2026
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 53802
Contents
  1. You must publish an inclusion strategy
  2. Step 1: Identify common barriers to learning and participation
  3. Step 2: Identify suitable evidence-based approaches
  4. Step 3: Develop your strategy and align your budgets
  5. Step 4: Deliver and monitor your strategy
  6. Step 5: Evaluate and sustain your strategy
  7. Local groups can pool their funding

This article is based on the DfE’s non-statutory guidance on developing an inclusion strategy using the inclusive mainstream fund. 

You must publish an inclusion strategy

The guidance above aims to help schools make the most effective use of the inclusive mainstream fund (IMF) and make sure schools adhere to the conditions of grant, which include:

  • Investing your IMF allocation in line with the 7 principles of inclusion (see more on these below)
  • Publishing an inclusion strategy on your school website by 31 December 2026 – it must include details of any activity invested in to alleviate barriers to learning and participation. It should also explain how you plan to use your IMF grant alongside your core budget and your notional SEN budget to build a strong inclusive core offering
  • Reviewing any multi-year strategy annually

Download the inclusion strategy template: 

KeyDoc: Inclusion strategy template DOCX, 134.1 KB
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It includes