1. Purpose
Inspired Ed is committed to providing inclusive, accessible and equitable distance learning for all learners across its three programme offers:
- AQA Registration and Assessment Only
- Fully Resourced Distance Learning
- The Activity Box Programme
Every learner and family will be treated with dignity, respect, fairness and sensitivity.
This policy explains how Inspired Ed promotes equality, values diversity and works to remove barriers to participation and learning.
2. Our Commitment
Inspired Ed is committed to ensuring that:
- All learners have fair access to learning, support and educational resources
- Diversity is respected, valued and reflected in the design and delivery of learning
- Learning materials and approaches are adapted where appropriate for special educational needs and disabilities, neurodiversity, sensory needs and different communication styles
- Cultural background, religion, identity and individual circumstances are treated with respect
- Bias, stereotypes, harassment and discrimination are actively challenged
- Remote learning is safe, manageable, accessible and emotionally supportive
- Learners are not disadvantaged because of a protected characteristic or additional need
Inspired Ed will not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
3. Inclusive Learning in Practice
Across all three programme options, Inspired Ed seeks to make learning flexible and responsive to the individual learner.
This may include:
- Personalising learning around the learner’s strengths, needs, interests and educational goals
- Taking account of relevant Education, Health and Care Plan targets
- Adapting digital resources and activity boxes to improve accessibility
- Considering sensory, physical, emotional and communication needs
- Making reasonable adjustments where required
- Providing flexible ways for learners to engage with activities
- Reducing barriers associated with traditional or in-person education through remote provision
4. Accessible Assessment and Evidence
Inspired Ed recognises that learners may communicate and demonstrate understanding in different ways.
Where permitted by the relevant AQA unit requirements, evidence may be submitted in a range of formats, including:
- Written work
- Photographs
- Audio recordings
- Video recordings
- Practical evidence
- Work completed with appropriate support
- Other accessible formats agreed with the learner’s parent, carer or commissioning body
The format of evidence will be considered carefully to support the learner’s communication needs while continuing to meet applicable assessment and verification requirements.
5. Inclusive Resources and Representation
Inspired Ed aims to ensure that learning content is respectful, inclusive and relevant.
Resources should:
- Avoid unnecessary stereotypes and discriminatory assumptions
- Reflect a broad range of identities, cultures, families and experiences
- Be adapted where necessary for cultural or individual relevance
- Use clear, respectful and accessible language
- Support learners to feel represented and included
Where a family identifies that a resource is unsuitable, inaccessible or culturally inappropriate, Inspired Ed will consider reasonable adjustments or alternative materials.
6. Reasonable Adjustments
Inspired Ed will consider reasonable adjustments for disabled learners and others who experience barriers to accessing the programme.
Adjustments may include:
- Changing the format or presentation of materials
- Providing additional processing time
- Reducing unnecessary sensory demands
- Using alternative communication methods
- Breaking activities into smaller and more manageable stages
- Adapting the pace or structure of learning
- Providing alternative ways to demonstrate achievement
Adjustments will be considered individually and in consultation with parents, carers, commissioning bodies and relevant professionals where appropriate.
7. Responsibilities
Inspired Ed is responsible for:
- Applying this policy consistently
- Treating learners and families fairly and respectfully
- Responding appropriately to concerns about discrimination or exclusion
- Reviewing resources and practices for accessibility
- Making reasonable adjustments where required
- Challenging discriminatory language, conduct or materials
Parents, carers, learners and commissioning partners are also expected to communicate respectfully and support an inclusive learning environment.
8. Concerns and Complaints
Any concern relating to equality, discrimination, accessibility or unfair treatment should be raised with Inspired Ed as soon as possible.
Concerns will be considered seriously, sensitively and in accordance with the Inspired Ed Complaints Policy.
Where a concern also involves safeguarding, it will be handled in accordance with the relevant safeguarding procedures.
9. Continuous Improvement
Inspired Ed recognises that inclusive practice requires regular reflection and development.
This policy and the practices supporting it will be reviewed regularly and informed by:
- Feedback from learners, parents and carers
- Feedback from commissioning organisations
- Changes in legislation or statutory guidance
- Experience gained through programme delivery
- Identified accessibility or inclusion needs
Inspired Ed will continue to develop its resources, systems and approaches to remain inclusive, equitable and responsive.