The Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education (CSIE) is a national charity working to develop more inclusive education for all, especially those with labels of special educational needs and disability (SEND). We believe that all children matter equally: (dis)ability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion/belief, or any other differences should not limit any child’s right to a good education in their local community.

Established in 1982, CSIE has been at the cutting edge of educational change for over 40 years. In 2000 we published the Index for inclusion: developing learning and participation in schools, which has been translated into more than 40 languages and is still used throughout the world. It introduced the term “barriers to learning and participation” as an alternative to “special educational needs”*.

CSIE helps inclusive school development in many ways: training for educators, awareness-raising workshops for pupils, equality audits, policy reviews, consultancy, bespoke support, and a wide range of resources.

We also provide speakers for conferences and other events, engage in research, respond to government consultations and have a strong online presence. Among our many achievements is an international award (Innovative Practice Award 2016 from the Zero Project) for our equality toolkit for schools.

*The legal definition is that a child has special educational needs if they have a learning difficulty or disability which calls for special educational provision to be made for them (bit.ly/3jy4E6g xiii p.15). At CSIE we believe that special needs arise as an interaction between a child and the school environment.