Social inclusion from the point of view of the 'gifted' child

My initial understanding of the phrase ‘social inclusion’ was the need to include children with special educational needs (SEN), disabled pupils, and pupils who belong to a different cultural background into mainstream schools and how we could best implement this idea. The importance of the concept lay in being able to provide effective and appropriately differentiated learning opportunities for all children, especially those who were perceived to be ‘disadvantaged’ in some way. I believe this to be an important issue if our aim is to create a society in which no one is discriminated against because of his or her abilities and individualities. However, through further study, discussion and experience of the topic, my views have altered slightly and it is precisely this alteration that I will be discussing in this essay. Although I still recognise the importance of inclusion for children who society believes need to be included, I also firmly believe that it is inclusion for all...