Inclusive education estates guidance: summary

Find out what the DfE's guidance on inclusive education estates means for your school or trust. Understand your role in making buildings and outdoor spaces more accessible.

New
on 19 August 2026
Ref: 54029
Contents
  1. What's the guidance about?
  2. What’s your role as a school leader?
  3. How will adaptations be funded?
  4. How to assess the inclusivity of your estate 
  5. How to choose the right adaptations
  6. What do adaptations look like in practice?

This article summarises the key points in the DfE’s inclusive education estates guidance – it's not exhaustive, and focuses on information and actions most relevant to school leaders. 

What's the guidance about?

It sets out how your school can adapt its buildings and outdoor spaces to be more inclusive and create positive learning experiences for all pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or a disability (SEND). 

The guidance is non-statutory. It's part of the DfE’s vision for more inclusive schools, which it sets out in the:

The guidance covers:

  • How to assess the inclusivity of your estate
  • The 10 core elements of inclusive design
  • Practical adaptations to buildings and outdoor spaces
  • Case studies and examples

Why is this important?

Make reasonable adjustments for pupils with disabilities so they're not placed at a substantial disadvantage compared to their peers