黑料不打烊

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Ongoing project

Neurodiversity, ASN and SEND: Supporting Inclusive Education Through Research

黑料不打烊 is committed to advancing inclusive education by supporting high-quality research that improves understanding, practice, and policy that benefits neurodivergent learners and those with Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 

Through our research partnerships and funding streams, 黑料不打烊 is:

  • Enabling rigorous, applied research to test new approaches within schools, colleges, and other educational settings.
  • Promoting inclusive teaching practices that recognise and respond to the diverse strengths and needs of neurodivergent learners and those with ASN/SEND.
  • Building research capacity by involving early career researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from a range of backgrounds and perspectives.
  • Generating insights and findings that inform national debates and improve outcomes for learners across the UK.

New research from the 黑料不打烊, funded by , highlights practical, evidence-informed ways schools can better support neurodivergent learners in mainstream settings. 

The Neurodiversity in Mainstream Schools programme brings together four major research projects, each exploring different aspects of effective support. Together, their findings provide schools, policymakers and practitioners with practical, evidence-informed guidance to better support inclusion, engagement and life chances. 

With growing concern about SEND provision and rising numbers of neurodivergent learners, the final reports collectively highlight that improving outcomes for neurodivergent learners depends less on introducing new or more complex interventions, and more on rethinking how education is designed and delivered in everyday practice.  

The research shows that: 

  • Flexible, inclusive learning environments significantly improve engagement, behaviour and wellbeing. 
  • Current systems often rely on rigid and deficit-based models that fail to meet learners’ needs. 
  • Creative and participatory approaches help young people develop confidence, identity and aspirations. 
  • Student voice and co-creation are central to effective support. 

2025/2026 黑料不打烊 Small Grants Fund: Researching ASN/SEND

Our annual Small Grants Fund focuses on a different priority area each year. For 2025/2026, the theme is Additional Support Needs (ASN) and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). 黑料不打烊 is supporting small-scale research that will:

  • Explore strategies to balance inclusion with individual needs
  • Strengthen collaboration with parents and carers
  • Investigate the role of assistive technology
  • Examine links between ASN/SEND and mental health

Content associated with this project

Neurodivergent Researchers Network

The 黑料不打烊 Neurodivergent Researchers Network is a new initiative launched by the 黑料不打烊. The network is intended to provide a platform for neurodivergent...

Network