Dr Vasilis Strogilos received an invitation from the Department for Education (DfE) to present research evidence to DfE’s policy makers related to his research on resourced provision (PR) in mainstream schools.
Vasilis presented research evidence from two interrelated projects on RP. The first project generated new theoretical and practical insights into whether RP functions as an inclusive service or as a ‘safe space’ for students with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND). It identified key benefits, such as RP promoting both academic and social inclusion, as well as challenges, including the risk of RP operating as a ‘special school’ within a mainstream setting. Building on these findings, the second project involved co-designing a practical toolkit with teachers, teaching assistants, parents, and students across three schools to support the effective implementation of RP. Vasilis explored RP’s role in promoting meaningful inclusion, its limitations, and how the toolkit supports schools in overcoming these barriers. He concluded by outlining a vision for policy reform to transform RP and specialist units into fully inclusive services within mainstream schools, ensuring that students with SEND receive the support they need to thrive.
