I was reading the Ouch pages on BBC today and reading some of the student diaries.
What I found interesting about the case studies was the importance of friendship, which I think is something that perhaps may be overlooked. When students are asked about the things that are important in their experience of education one factor appears to be important above all others – friendship.
Whittaker et al, 1998 quote a study of 2,527 children in 500 schools in one LEA in the north west of England, 62.8% states that happiness at school was the result of friendships.
What I have learned is how important it is to understand the perspectives and experiences of learners, particularly those from marginalised groups – in order, to develop inclusive education.
Reference: Whittaker, J. Kenworthy, J. and Crabtree, C. (1998) ‘What children say about school’, Bolton Data for Inclusion, Bolton Institute of Higher Education, www.inclusion-boltondata.org.uk/FrontPage/data24.htm