ARC - Chair Update - July 2026

ARC Chair Comments - July 2026

I have reflected on the developments across the ‘system’ supporting our children and young people as we reach the end of the academic year. The raising of the focus on ‘inclusion’ is really the headline that stands out across education, social care, health and criminal justice. The many references around this, whether it is discussing attendance, NEET’s, criminalisation or other ‘hot topics’ , highlights that there is move towards a more individualised approach – which is welcome – but much work still be done around having a clear understanding of what inclusion looks like, what it feels like. The recent ‘green shoots’ of improvements in the suspensions and exclusions date here provide some optimism, with the need for further analysis and reflection around where, how and why are there improvements.

This term has seen over twelve presentation events in the regions across the UK, whether at conferences or individual schools, of the regional ARC Timpson Awards. The full list of schools being recognised can be found later in this newsletter and on the ARC website here. I would like to formally congratulate all schools and settings that have been nominated this year. In making these presentations the endorsement made by Virtual Schools is shared with the audiences. I am always impressed and very proud to see the outstanding work, practice and commitment demonstrated in both the regional winners and commended schools. There is certainly a lot to celebrate, raise awareness of and share more widely. More importantly, I would like to request all programmes to share any evaluations via the ARC newsletter and/or website by contacting me at andrew@the-arc.org.uk , whether this a full research paper of a case study report.

One of these focus events has been the London, South and East Regional Conference hosted at UCL this month. This was designed to support the identified needs of schools and settings across the region, providing key notes, panel and workshops for the delegates. The strong message that emerged was the importance of working together, connecting and learning cross the community represented from all sectors of health, education, social care and criminal justice.

The event allowed ARC to showcase some of the work being developed in partnership with the London Violence Reduction Unit. This partnership is being further extended in the new academic year, building on the strong work with the majority of Virtual Schools with the drive to collaborate and support the Multi Academy Trusts.

ARC continues to develop, in collaboration, with a range of specialised professionals to help support the needs of our members. The ARC Education Psychology group (which will be featured in more detail in September) has spent this year reviewing and refining the ARC Self Evaluation Tool (audit). They would welcome schools and Virtual Schools to step forward to pilot the new model in September. All interested schools should express their interest to admin@the-arc.org.uk so this can be arranged for the new term. Similarly, the ARC audit tool has been reviewed and revised by a Head Teachers group to update the new Ofsted framework criteria and will be available for September. Furthermore, the research document facility has been reviewed and reformatted with a search facility across the research documents which have also undergone classification. This work has been completed by the ARC HE/Research group and ARC Ambassadors which will be featured in more detail next term.

I was delighted to learn that The Access School (nominated for an ARC Timpson Award in the Midlands region) were invited to feature on BBC Radio Shropshire to talk about the work they are doing and their attachment and trauma-informed approach. If your school or setting is also featured in any media for your inclusive, relational, trauma informed and attachment aware approaches then please do forward the details to admin@the-arc.org.uk in order that it can feature in a future ARC newsletter.

The ARC website provides a signposting service for training providers. The strength of this offer is that the endorsement is made by schools that have successfully benefitted from their services. I met a new provider at the London event – Caring Minds – and like other partners, have encouraged them to complete the simple process to be added to this FREE service. If you are working with any training providers effectively please do encourage them to submit their forms via the website, and this includes Education Psychology services.

Finally, I wish all an enjoyable and relaxing summer break - when it arrives.

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