Kolkata,(4/11) : On 3 November 2026: Heritage Group of Institutions hosted “A Conversation on School Leadership, Inclusive Education and the Future of Learning” on 3rd November 2026 at The Heritage campus. The session, titled “Beyond Inclusion: Building Schools Where Every Child Belongs,” was led by Mr. Ben Gudgeon, Senior Director of the International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), UK.
The afternoon brought together principals, headmasters, academic heads and educators from schools across Kolkata like B D Memorial International School, Birla High School, Swarnim International School, DPS Ruby Park, Ruby Park Public School, The New Town School, Shri Shikshayatan School, MCKV School and many more. Together they explored a question that is reshaping classrooms around the world: how can a school move beyond simply admitting every child to making every child truly feel they belong?
An influential global leader dedicated to advancing inclusion, accessibility and equitable opportunities for all learners, Mr. Gudgeon spoke about the role of school leadership in building inclusive cultures. He shared practical perspectives on bringing accessibility and equity into everyday school life, and on what the future of learning demands from those who lead it. Mr. Gudgeon emphasised that inclusion cannot be confined to disability alone. It extends well beyond physical and mental challenges to embrace the many ways children learn and absorb knowledge, the personal and social circumstances that shape a young mind, and the need to move from gender bias towards genuine gender equity. In his view, a truly inclusive school recognises every learner’s unique context and ensures that no child is left behind. The session was interactive. Participants engaged with the speaker, exchanged experiences from their own campuses and reflected on the steps their institutions can take next.
Speaking about the session, Mr. Pradip Agarwal, CEO, Heritage Group of Institutions said, “Inclusion is not a programme or a policy. It is a promise that every child who walks through our gates will be seen, valued and given the chance to thrive. We are grateful to Mr. Gudgeon for sharing his vision with us, and to the school leaders of Kolkata for joining us in this important dialogue.”
The session also saw the presence of Mr. Vivek Shukla, CEO, Afairs Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd, an active member of IFIP, who supported the occasion to network with Mr. Gudgeon. Afairs was among the hosts of the World Inclusive Conference 2026, where Mr. Gudgeon served as a convenor.
Sharing his vision, Mr. Shukla said, “We want to create a movement for inclusive education across the country, bringing educationists and policymakers together on one platform to address the concerns faced by schools across India. We were one of the hosts of the World Inclusive Conference, where Mr. Gudgeon was the convenor, and I am truly grateful to The Heritage School for providing such a platform to start with in the Eastern Zone.”
The event reflected the spirit of Nurturing Exjcellence, the theme of Heritage Group of Institutions’ 25-year journey, and its belief that excellence and inclusion go hand in hand. By bringing school leaders onto one platform, Heritage aims to keep the conversation on inclusive education going across the city’s schools.
About the Heritage Group of Institutions
Heritage Group of Institutions, Kolkata, is an educational group committed to holistic learning and to nurturing excellence in every learner. It is celebrating 25 years of its journey.
About IFIP
The International Forums of Inclusion Practitioners (IFIP), UK, is a global platform advancing inclusion, accessibility and equitable opportunities for all learners.
Reported by Sanatan Mahakud.
