Gloriously Ordinary Sundays - 6th July 202

Written By Tricia Nicoll

You will know that the ideas and shaping of Gloriously Ordinary Lives came from my kids. The more I reflect on what it takes to keep things gloriously ordinary, the more I’m inclined to go back to our education system and how we choose to segregate and ‘other’ children from the youngest of ages.

It’s no secret that I’m passionate about inclusive education – not simply about the physical educating of children and young people in buildings and rooms together but in that fundamental concept that human beings come in an array of types, shapes and colours, opinions, beliefs and ways of seeing and receiving the world. My hunch is that it’s probably best that we learn this by rubbing along with each other from the start, but my simplistic way of seeing the world has often been pointed out to me. Kids naturally get inclusion. Kids take people and things as they see them …. they learn to be prejudiced from adults. 

I was speaking at a big conference a couple of weeks ago for all the special-needs coordinators in Wigan schools. I don’t often name places that I’m working but I wanted to this week because the good folk of Wigan properly put a smile on my face. I did a Menti (fancy interactive online tool) asking people to explain what inclusion is all about. I have to confess that I was ready to get all superior and challenging, as I’m used to people telling me that inclusion is all about differentiation, adapted timetables and access to quiet spaces, but some of the things that people on that day said fair warmed my heart.

Infographic titled "What is inclusion all about?" with six text boxes describing inclusion as belonging, celebrating abilities, accepting diversity, and being fulfilled and peaceful.

[Image Description: This is an infographic on an orange background with the main question "What is inclusion all about?" displayed in large black text on a white banner across the centre. Surrounding this central question are six white text boxes containing key aspects of inclusion: "No barriers, access for all, celebration of all abilities" (top left), "Where you feel you belong, not having to be grateful an adult changed something for you... it's just a norm to do what is needed" (top centre), "Friends, achievement, being you, being ordinary" (top right), "Content, included, happy and comfortable. Able to make positive contributions" (bottom left), "It's the acceptance and celebration of diversity and differences and enabling access for all" (bottom centre), and "Fulfilled. Peaceful. Smiling. Content. Calm. Accepted" (bottom right).]

Those are the words –

Belonging

Content

Calm

Smiling

Celebration

Friends

I chatted to Ciaran about school, and he’s recorded his thoughts – spot on as ever.

Three people sitting together on a sofa, smiling at the camera in a casual family portrait.
Student in navy school uniform sitting at desk in classroom, smiling at camera.
Young person in green top holding up school workbook with coloured stickers, giving thumbs up.
Person in dark clothing standing on large green field with groups of people in background.
Group of people gathered around war memorial cross covered with red poppy wreaths.
Group of young people helping each other climb on large rock formation in countryside setting.
Person in black school jumper with red collar standing in living room with yellow walls and photos displayed.

I think that he nails why going to his local school was so important to him.

Listening to him talking about friends, getting the bus, George getting into trouble, doing his Duke of Edinburgh, and being able to chat about the plot of Romeo and Juliet makes my heart sing. It also made it much easier to assume that he would vote when he was 18, that he would get a job, keep seeing old friends and making new ones, and get his own place. There wasn’t really a conversation to be had.

In preparation for Ciaran’s Year 9 review, I asked his friends and teachers to say what they liked about him, and this is the poster with their cards.

You are indeed a legend Ciaran!

Collage of colourful cards, with the title "Things Ciaran does classmates like about him". Main cards read "Happy. Funny. Legend." and "He always gives me a hug when I see him. What a legend!"

[Image Description: This is a collage of colourful cards containing handwritten messages. The title of the collage is “Things Ciaran’s classmates like about him”. Two cards which have been enlarged read: "Happy. Funny. Legend." with a smiley face, and "He always gives me a hug when I see him. What a legend!". The display features dozens of smaller cards in various colours, all containing positive comments about Ciaran from different people. Some of the other cards read: "He's imaginative + creative!" (with star decorations), and “He livens up our form and wouldn’t be the same without him”.]

 
 

PS. Did you see? The Gloriously Ordinary Sundays Podcast episode 12 is here. I chat with chat with ⁠Maff Potts⁠, founder of ⁠The Association of Camerados⁠ and author of 'Friends and Purpose'.

We explore Maff's brilliant concept of 'front of house' versus 'back of house' - using the restaurant analogy to show how we often bring our very dehumanising policies, procedures, and language into spaces where people should feel human, comfortable and valued.

Tricia Nicoll
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Gloriously Ordinary Sundays - 29th June 2025