Teachers' union joins campaign against inclusion

The UK's largest teachers' union has called on the government to stop shutting down special schools. A report, published by Cambridge University and supported by the NUT, warned that the policy of inclusion amounted to 'child abuse' for children with the greatest special needs.

The NUT's general secretary Steve Sinnott warned that teachers' valuable time was being spent on dealing with medical rather than educational needs. 'There must be a halt to the closure of special schools and it is vital that the Government conducts a root and branch independent review of inclusion policies and practice,' he said.

The decision by the NUT to join the fight against inclusion means that none of the country's teachers' unions now support the policy. Since Labour came to power 91 special schools have closed.

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