Inclusion Audits Are Coming. Is Your School Ready?

A System Shift Is Coming...

A new report from the Foundation for Education Development (FED) has called for something many in education have long believed necessary: enforceable national inclusion standards for schools across England.

The report, Education at the Crossroads, outlines a proposal for every school to undergo regular inclusion audits as part of its improvement planning, making equity not just encouraged, but expected.

This signals a significant step forward. But it also raises a timely question:
Is your school ready to be audited on inclusion?

What Will the Framework Include?

While details are still emerging, the FED is clear about the direction of travel. Schools may soon be expected to:

• Demonstrate how they support marginalised or underserved pupils

• Provide evidence of inclusive curriculum, culture, and leadership

• Use inclusion audits as part of annual improvement plans

• Move beyond awareness days into embedded, measurable strategies

This isn’t just about compliance. It’s about reshaping how we define a successful school - where academic outcomes are matched by equity, representation, and belonging.

What This Means for Schools Now

Although the framework is not yet mandatory, the sector is shifting fast. Some local authorities and MATs are already piloting similar models - and schools who start preparing now will be far better positioned when national standards come into place.

At Axis Inclusion, we see this not as a threat, but an opportunity.
The schools that lead in inclusion will also lead in outcomes, retention, and reputation.

How Axis Inclusion Can Help

We work in partnership with schools and colleges to:
✅ Conduct honest, practical Inclusion Health Checks
✅ Review and strengthen the curriculum and policy
✅ Centre student voice in development and planning
✅ Support SLTs to co-create realistic, measurable strategies

Our work is never about blame or buzzwords. It’s about helping school communities build something that lasts, something students and staff can feel every day.

Ready to Start?

If you’re thinking, "We need to be ahead of this", you’re not alone.
Get in touch to explore how we can help your school become audit-ready, and more importantly, inclusion-strong.