Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child: How to Create a Culture of Inclusion and Belonging(Equity in Education Series)

Every child, no matter their starting point or background and no matter their additional and different needs, should have an equitable chance of success at school. This first book in the Equity in Education series looks at how schools can foster a better sense of belonging and ensure they are truly inclusive of all learners, thus mitigating the effects of an increasingly unequal, fractured society. To ensure a child’s birth does not also become their life’s destiny, Matt Bromley shows how an inclusive school culture can be created through a process that is as simple as ABC: Attendance: raising the attendance and punctuality of disadvantaged learners Behaviours: helping students develop appropriate behaviours for learning so that they can conduct themselves positively and develop the skills needed to access an increasingly challenging curriculum Community: building a community around learners by putting family first and engaging with parents as partners in the process of educating their child Offering actionable guidance and strategies that can be used to support school development plans, the book sets out the practical ways schools can create a collaborative culture in which all staff understand the importance of inclusion as well as the part they play in helping to achieve it. As such, it is essential reading for all teachers and school leaders who want to ensure that every child has an equitable chance of success at school and in later life.

Table of Contents:
Introduction - About the series 1 A tale of two teens 2 Learner-led not label-led Part I : A is for Attendance 3 Attendance and disadvantage 4 Attendance policy 5 Attendance personalisation and practice 6 Attendance performance data and parents Part II : B is for Behaviours 7 Behaviour cultures 8 Behaviour classroom environments 9 Behaviour skills and consequences 10 Behaviours for learning 11 Behaviours for future success Part III : C is for Community 12 Community and families first 13 Community cohesion and coherence 14 Community and the curriculum 15 Community and collaboration 16 Putting it all into practice Index

About the Author :
Matt Bromley is an education journalist, author, and advisor with 25 years of experience in teaching and leadership, including as a secondary school headteacher and academy principal, further education college vice principal, and multi-academy trust director. Matt is a public speaker, trainer, initial teacher training lecturer, and school improvement advisor. He remains a practising teacher, currently working in secondary, FE, and HE settings. Matt writes for various magazines, is the author of numerous best-selling books on education, and co-hosts an award-winning podcast.

Review :
Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child is the clarion call that our education system needs if we are to finally overcome the consequences of disadvantage and inequality that too many children and young people face. As we have come to expect, Matt Bromley offers insightful and practical advice for schools and educators striving to make a difference for their students from disadvantaged backgrounds. His ability to distill complex educational concepts into actionable strategies makes his writing a valuable resource for teachers and school leaders at all levels. This is why he is one of SecEd's most prolific and popular authors. His ideas are grounded in real-world classroom experience, making them both relevant to the challenges schools are facing today and easily adaptable and actionable for your school's context. Matt Bromley has become one of the most relevant, useful and inspiring voices in education – and this book is no exception. - Pete Henshaw, Editor for SecEd and Headteacher Update magazines ____________________________ I love this book!!! This book focuses on the hugely complex issues of equity and inclusion, with a real razor sharp focus on the causes and consequences of what it is to be a disadvantaged student. Where Matt gets it right is to focus on practical and simple solutions and he keeps the focus tight, honing in on the importance of attendance, positive behaviour and generating a community. If you want a book that is brimming with practical advice, hints, tips and guidance from someone who actually does the job then this is the book for you. The secret is the author keeps it real! What a gem of a read. Bravo! - Sam Strickland, Principal and CEO ___________________________________ Matt's book series is a timely collection for UK based educators looking to level the playing field for disadvantaged students and 'build more equity in education'. Matt's ABC framework provides a meaningful reference point to help cut through the complexities required to create an inclusive school culture. In addition, his framework will help schools to unpick institutional factors that prevent students from attending school. No matter your stance in education, this book series is essential reading. - Bukky Yusuf, Leadership Development Coach _____________________________________________________ Rooted in the realities of children’s lives, this book from master story-teller Matt Bromley will prove invaluable in helping school leaders ask themselves hard but essential questions about equity and inclusion. - Jean Gross CBE, former government Communication Champion for children _____________________________________________________ In this essential first volume of the Equity in Education series, Matt Bromley confronts one of today’s most pressing challenges: building a culture of true inclusion and belonging in schools. With a fresh look at educational disadvantage and the widening societal divide, Bromley offers practical, research-backed strategies to create environments where every student can thrive. Anchored in real-world school experience, the book’s straightforward ABC framework—Attendance, Behaviours, and Community—equips educators with actionable tools to address inequity head-on. This is more than a call for change; it’s a guide for educators ready to make a meaningful impact and challenges the misconception that we can do this alone with high expectations and zero tolerance approaches in schools. - Sean Harris, Director of People, Learning and Community Engagement, Tees Valley Education ______________________________________ Why School Doesn’t Work for Every Child neatly brings together the evidence and offers practical steps for those working on school priority areas such as attendance. This book reminds us to put learner and family experiences of school life at the forefront of our work, and to continuously reflect on our work on inclusion to ensure school works for every child. - Kate Anstey, Director of Education, the Child Poverty Action Group ______________________________________