There’s a clear correlation between attainment and inclusivity, and the reasons for this are obvious too, says Charlotte O’Regan. Recently the government set out its plans for creating more inclusive mainstream schools. But our research shows that children who are doubly disadvantaged – both having SEND and coming from low-income families – are being shut out of some of the best state schools. The top 500 schools for attainment take in just half as many disadvantaged pupils with SEND as the average comprehensive. These findings will not come as a surprise to many working in schools. Indeed, our Teacher Tapp polling found 41 per cent of school leaders think some schools are actively discouraging applications from pupils with SEND. But what’s really going on? It’s easy to point the finger at the schools which take fewer free-school-meals children, and fewer children with SEND. But there’s a long list of complicating factors working against teachers and leaders who, by and large, want to do the right thing. Accountability measures One element is the system of accountability …