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Heart of Worcestershire College Principal & CEO attends education roundtable at 10 Downing Street
24 February 2026
The Principal and CEO of Heart of Worcestershire College (HoW College), Michelle Dowse, attended an education roundtable hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street yesterday (23rd February), ahead of the publication of the Government’s Schools White Paper.
The roundtable brought together a small number of school leaders, charities, and representatives across the education sector, including members of the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) Inclusion group, to discuss raising standards and improving life chances for children and young people across the country.
Michelle Dowse attended as part of the EAG Inclusion delegation and contributed to discussions centred on ensuring that inclusion remains at the heart of national education reform, particularly in relation to SEND provision.
Michelle Dowse, Principal & CEO of HoW College, said:
“I was proud to attend with fellow EAG Inclusion members, contributing to an important discussion focused on how we ensure the best education and better life chances for every single child.
The Prime Minister was clear that high standards and inclusion go hand in hand, particularly in the urgent need to reform SEND, and it was genuinely encouraging to hear him recognise the strong contribution Further Education already makes in providing inclusive education for some of our most vulnerable learners.
During the discussion, I asked on behalf of our students that they are given a real opportunity to help shape the implementation of these reforms, not just be recipients of them. This was positively received and reflected a shared understanding that reforms work best when they are informed directly by lived experience and the voices of learners themselves.
It was also powerful to hear Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson reaffirm that improving life chances for children is the driving principle behind these reforms, and that enabling every child to achieve and thrive must sit at their heart.
What stood out the most was how important it was to hear the voices of so many stakeholders, including FE Colleges, actively be involved in shaping this agenda at a national level. I left No.10 feeling optimistic that inclusion is being treated as a foundation for reform and proud to be able to play a part in shaping the future.”
HoW College remains committed to championing inclusive education and ensuring that learners’ voices help shape the policies that affect their futures.
