Inclusive School Environments Strategy

The challenge 

In October 2019, UTS (led by IPPG) was contracted by the NSW Department of Education to develop a strategy to improve the physical environments of NSW public schools focused on supporting the learning and wellbeing of students with disability.  

The project responded to the following terms of reference:   

• Develop a methodology to assess the existing physical learning environments in NSW public schools against best-practice standards for inclusivity
• Conduct a pilot study, applying the methodology in the field with a number of schools
• Formulate a final report outlining best practice standards globally in this area, the results and analysis of the pilot research, and the refined/final methodology that can be used by the Department in the future

What we did 

UTS adopted a mixed methodology for this research, including:  

• An evidence scan of local and international best-practice approaches to inclusive environments within a school setting
• Engagement with the community in pilot schools through surveys, interviews, and focus groups with pilot school staff, parents and carers, and students with disability
• Audit of pilot schools using a school environment assessment tool based on known standards and identified good practice
• The development of case studies with detailed analysis of findings for each of the nine pilot schools 

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 required IPPG to pause the project and introduce an adjusted methodology which complied with the new health context for its resumption in early 2021. As a consequence: 

• Fewer schools volunteered to be pilot schools
• The assessment tool was administered by Departmental Asset Services Officers (ASOs), rather than UTS built-environment professionals
• All stakeholder engagement transitioned to an online format

Outcome 

The final deliverables for this research were: 

• A Research Report, including the findings framed around four outcome domains, the pilot school case studies, and a series of options and recommendations for the Department’s consideration
• A Compendium Report including advice on how to conduct school-based research, and an update suite of engagement tools (including three surveys and two discussion guides) and the School Environment Assessment Tool.