Creating Inclusive Schools: Making Teaching, Learning and Technology Work for Everyone

By Nathan Cleary • 6 May 2026

How schools can build accessible environments using the right mix of resources, confidence, and everyday technology

Inclusive Teaching Starts with the Right Support

Inclusive teaching starts with a shared responsibility – to create environments where everyone can access and engage, whether that’s in teaching, learning, or the wider school experience.
That means having a range of resources available and understanding how existing tools can be used more effectively.

Across schools, this is becoming an increasingly important focus. Around 1.7 million children in England have SEND—roughly one in five pupils¹.

At the same time, the direction from the DfE is clear. There is a growing move towards a more inclusive, “universal” approach—where support is embedded across the whole school, not just targeted at specific individuals².

Inclusive practice isn’t just about meeting identified needs; it’s about creating environments where everyone can participate fully.

Building Inclusive Classrooms and School Environments

Every school community is different. Pupils, staff, and leaders all bring a range of needs, preferences, and ways of working, and no single approach will work for all.

That’s why creating inclusive environments is about balance:

Having the right resources available to support a range of needs
Embedding inclusive practices into everyday teaching and school life
Giving staff the confidence to adapt and respond in the moment

When this is in place, the impact goes beyond the classroom. It supports staff in their roles, strengthens communication, and helps create a more inclusive culture across the whole school.

Accessibility in Schools: Making Better Use of Existing Technology

At Concero, we work closely with schools every day, and one of the most common challenges we see isn’t a lack of technology; it’s a lack of time and confidence to fully explore what’s already there.

Across both Microsoft and Google environments, there are powerful accessibility features already built in – from dictation and screen readers to immersive reading tools and display adjustments.

But in many cases, these tools aren’t being used consistently. Not because they’re not valuable but because staff haven’t had the time or support to explore them fully.

This creates a gap between what’s available and what’s actually being used in practice.

Closing that gap doesn’t always require new systems. It often starts with awareness, confidence, and practical guidance.

Supporting Staff Confidence in Inclusive Teaching

For inclusive practice to be effective, it needs to be consistent across the whole school.

When staff feel confident using accessibility tools:

Support becomes part of everyday practice, not something additional
Pupils experience a more consistent approach across lessons
Staff are better supported in their roles
Schools are better equipped to meet SEND and accessibility expectations

In practice, this can be as simple as:

A pupil using dictation to capture their ideas more easily
A teacher enabling Immersive Reader to support comprehension
Adjusting contrast or text size to reduce visual strain

These are small changes, but they can have a significant impact on how pupils access learning day to day.

This shift towards more inclusive, everyday practice is where schools can make the biggest impact, turning small changes into meaningful improvements for both pupils and staff.

A Practical Approach to Accessibility Training in Schools

Through our ongoing partnership with nasen, we’ve seen a growing demand from schools for practical, accessible training that fits into busy school environments³.

Schools aren’t looking for more complexity – they’re looking for simple, effective ways to support staff and improve inclusive practice.

Together with nasen, we’re supporting schools through focused accessibility training designed to help staff make better use of the tools already available to them.

In a one-hour session (delivered remotely or in person), staff explore:

Built-in accessibility features across Microsoft and Google
Practical ways to apply these in the classroom
Approaches to supporting a wide range of learning needs

It’s designed to be simple, relevant, and immediately useful, supporting schools to take small, meaningful steps towards more inclusive practice.

👉 Find out more about the training here:
https://nasen.org.uk/news/turn-everyday-technology-inclusive-teaching

Moving Inclusive Practice Forward

The direction of travel is clear. Inclusive practice is no longer something separate – it’s becoming part of everyday teaching, learning, and the wider school environment.

Creating accessible spaces doesn’t happen through a single tool or initiative. It’s built over time, through the right combination of resources, greater awareness, and growing confidence across staff.

By supporting schools to better understand and use the tools they already have, alongside the wider resources available, meaningful progress can be made towards more inclusive environments for everyone.

Through our partnership with nasen, we’re continuing to support schools with practical, focused accessibility training, helping to turn everyday technology into something that works for every learner, in every setting.

👉 Find out more about the training here:
https://nasen.org.uk/news/turn-everyday-technology-inclusive-teaching