In this episode of A Culture of Curiosity, we dive into the heart of inclusive practice with Dan Tresman, founder and CEO of Light Years Education. Together, we explore where inclusion really lives in a school, not in the policies or paperwork, but in the daily, intentional decisions that shape how children feel, learn and belong.

Dan shares the story behind founding a school rooted in relational practice, where even the paint on the walls and the placement of a sensory tent are chosen with young people’s needs at the centre. We talk about how schools of all shapes and sizes can build spaces of calm, safety and connection — and why inclusion must be more than a buzzword.

From ‘success plans’ to soft-start mornings, this conversation offers real, grounded examples of how schools can walk the walk when it comes to supporting children with SEND and social, emotional and mental health needs. We also reflect on what inclusion means in the context of the proposed changes to Ofsted’s inspection framework and how we keep the focus on what matters most: relationships, voice and belonging.

This one’s for every educator who’s ever asked: What would it take for our school to feel like home for every child?