The Future of Education is Inclusive
by Christine Franklin, Director of Safeguarding & Inclusion
Imagine a world where every student’s strengths are recognised, where differences are not seen as obstacles but as opportunities. Education is not about making students fit into a system—it’s about shaping a system that fits all students. On this Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect on how we support the neurodiverse members of our Trust community.
At Academy Transformation Trust, we believe that every child, regardless of how they learn, deserves the chance to thrive. Today, I want to share a framework that is helping us achieve this: the Judith Carter 7Cs Model.
The 7Cs Model: A Strengths-Based Approach to Learning
Developed by Educational Psychologist Judith Carter, the 7Cs Model is a strengths-based framework designed to support students with SEND.
It supports schools to explore and appreciate learners’ unique profiles of strengths and needs across seven key areas, ensuring that each learner is fully seen, celebrated and supported and benefits from the sense of belonging this creates:
- Creativity
- Control
- Curriculum
- Compassion
- Coordination
- Cognition
- Communication
This approach isn’t about labelling difficulties, it’s about unlocking potential. It helps us see that every student has strengths- they may just need the right support to shine.
Creativity
Unlocking Potential Through Innovation
Neurodivergent students often excel in creative thinking and problem-solving. We nurture these abilities by encouraging curiosity, modelling contemplation and alternative thinking, and creating an atmosphere of trust and positive expectations. Research shows that students who engage in creative problem-solving develop greater confidence and resilience, helping them navigate challenges more effectively.
Control
Providing Structure for Success
A structured, predictable learning environment is essential for reducing anxiety and improving focus. Our staff use visual schedules, emotion coaching, and consistent routines to help students feel secure and in control. Providing the right level of challenge to support progress, while avoiding frustration or disengagement, is also crucial. Giving learners a sense of autonomy by offering choices in their learning and activities further enhances their engagement. Proximal praise and resilience modelling reinforce positive behaviours, enabling students to self-regulate and engage more confidently in their learning.
Curriculum
Making Learning Accessible for All
We believe that every student deserves access to a curriculum that meets their unique needs. By using multisensory teaching methods—which integrate visual, auditory, and tactile elements—we ensure that learning is engaging and accessible. Studies confirm that these techniques enhance comprehension and retention, particularly for neurodivergent learners. Additionally, contextualising and personalising the content to ensure the relevance is explicit to the learners increases engagement. Making real-world connections, setting SMART personalised learning goals, and providing scaffolding support are essential strategies. We recognise that learners will need different tweaks in different areas of the curriculum to achieve their full potential.
Compassion
Building a Supportive Learning Community
A compassionate learning environment allows neurodivergent students to feel safe, valued, and understood. Our staff receive training to recognise and respond to students’ emotional needs, using emotion coaching and scaffolded social interactions to build confidence. We also provide quiet spaces and sensory breaks to support self-regulation for students who may feel overwhelmed.
Communication
Ensuring Every Voice is Heard
Clear, effective communication is at the heart of inclusivity. We use visual supports, social stories, and alternative communication systems to help students express themselves and understand others. By fostering an environment where students feel heard and respected, we empower them to participate fully in their education.
Empowering Students Through Self-Awareness
True inclusion isn’t just about providing support- it’s about helping students recognise their own strengths and really understand themselves. When we introduce students to the 7Cs Model as a way of understanding how they learn, we’re developing their self-awareness, gaining the tools to advocate for their needs, building resilience, and taking ownership of their education. When students understand how they learn best, they become more confident, independent, and motivated to succeed.
The Heart of Inclusion: Our Educators
None of this would be possible without the dedicated teachers, SENDCOs, and support staff who work tirelessly to make education accessible for every student. Through their expertise, patience, and passion, they create learning environments where every child feels valued and capable. By focusing on a strengths-based approach, they highlight and nurture each student’s unique abilities, fostering a sense of confidence and self-worth. Their work extends beyond academics—they are building a future where all students have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
A Vision for the Future
This isn’t just about our schools- it’s about reshaping education everywhere, so that all students, regardless of their learning style, have the support they need to succeed. When we create schools that recognise and celebrate differences, we don’t just help some students, we create better education for all students. We’re developing an education that transcends generations, building an inclusive future.
At Academy Transformation Trust, we believe that education should empower every learner. And when we embrace inclusivity, we unlock the potential of every student- not just for today, but for the future.
We’re Building an Inclusive Future in Education!
Interested in how we champion inclusion across our Trust? Visit our SEND and inclusion page to learn more about our approach and our Trust-Wide SEND Core Offer.
Our ATT Institute provides a broad range of professional development opportunities to help our colleagues support inclusion in our academies- browse the full offer here.
