The Difference Schools Partnership

A three-year programme to develop sector-leading inclusion in ten schools across the country.

Length: 3 years (June 2026 to March 2029)

Cost: this programme is being generously funded through a coalition of funders

Who: Secondary schools in England

Delivery: Hybrid with travel (see more detail in the prospectus)

Apply before Tuesday 24th February 2026, 11pm

• Realise your inclusion ambitions and reduce lost learning that takes place through suspensions, absence and repeat room removals.
• Develop confidence and a three-year strategy as a senior team via professional development support and practice research from The Difference, worth £50,000 a year and funded by philanthropy.
• Grow sector-leading practice on internal provision and mainstream inclusion.
• Join a national community of leaders through annual conferences, research visits and facilitated peer reviews.
• Become a beacon within your group of schools as your practice develops and sets a standard for your trust or local authority.

For more detail, download The Difference Schools Partnership brochure. To apply, submit your expression of interest.

The Difference Schools Partnership will partner with and support ten headteachers and their leadership teams to change the picture in their schools, and support national understanding about the journey to improve inclusion. 

The Difference Schools Partnership offers:

• A three year programme – Coaching, site visits, taught content, a development framework, and a network of peers will develop each school’s capacity to support more pupils to stay in school, and in lessons.
• Measurable change for students – Develop senior team confidence, a thriving Internal Provision which supports (re)integration, and whole-staff relational practices that increase pupil belonging, engagement and success.
• A national way forward – Together, let’s illustrate what effective inclusion leadership looks like, share learning across your group of schools and provide evidence for national change.

Schools will:

• Build a three-year inclusion strategy with an expert Implementation Partner from The Difference
• Improve the quality and impact of internal provision
• Strengthen staff practice and confidence across the whole school
• Improve pupil belonging, engagement and outcomes
• Take part in training, annual conferences, research visits and peer reviews
• Join a network of leaders shaping national understanding of effective inclusion
• Become a beacon school within your trust or local authority

This programme is designed for Headteachers and Senior Leadership Teams in secondary schools in England who are ready to lead ambitious, long-term inclusion change.

Successful schools will have the backing of their trust CEO or Director of Education in their local authority, with a commitment to sharing learning across their wider network.

Ideal for schools who want to:

• Build whole-school relational practice and belonging
• Reduce suspensions, removals and persistent absence
• Strengthen their internal provision
• Develop a confident senior team with shared expertise
• Contribute to national learning on inclusion

Internal Provision is a broad term describing in-school support for children that acts in place of or alongside the main school. Practice varies from school to school, meaning that internal provision is also known as resourced provision, resource base, student support centre, inclusion hub, internal alternative provision, support hub, and learning support unit. For more information, see the Department for Education’s Explorative Research into In-School Support Units.

The Difference recently published our practice research What Works: Four Tenets of Effective Internal Provision, and this expertise is informing the Department for Education’s forthcoming guidance on SEN Units and Resourced Provision.

The Difference Schools Partnership is generously funded through a coalition of funders.

Schools receive professional development, coaching, research and network support, worth £50,000 each year – at no cost to the school.

Travel costs may be required for in-person events; full details are available in the programme brochure.

Applications close at 11pm on Tuesday 24 February 2026. Download our Difference Schools Partnership brochure for more information.

The application process has three steps:

1. Expression of Interest
   Complete our short online form to register your interest and receive updates.
2. Written Application
   Headteachers submit an application outlining your context and ambitions, with a supporting reference from your CEO or Director of Children’s Services. We’ll send an application form following your Expression of Interest.
3. Online and in-person Interviews (March–April 2026)
   We’ll meet with the Headteacher and senior leader overseeing inclusion for a more detailed discussion.

The programme starts June 2026.