Why do I keep doing extra things, I ask myself. Because I know that to be really good at what I do, I must also know about surrounding issues and familiarise myself with the most up-to-date elements of the job and provision, both locally and nationally.

After a TIPD (Teachers International Professional Development) trip to Holland two years ago I have recently been receiving e-mails from a contact in a school over there.

In Holland the right to an inclusive education becomes law in 2010 – parents/carers can choose to send their children with SEN to local schools. They have so much work to do.

I have been advising a lady on her planning and development – she is keen to follow a similar model of support to ours. However, starting from scratch is a tough call.

My last message, sent early this morning, reinforces the ideas that whatever she does practically, to really include young people she needs to change attitudes and ideals.

According to the Alliance for Inclusive Education, inclusive education is based on nine principles:

• A person's worth is independent of their abilities or achievements
• Every human being is able to feel and think
• Every human being has a right to communicate and be heard
• All human beings need each other
• Real education can only happen in the context of real relationships
• All people need support and friendship from people of their own age
• Progress for all learners is achieved by building on things people can do rather than what they can't
• Diversity brings strength to all living systems
• Collaboration is more important than competition

Inclusive education aims to equip all people with the skills needed to build inclusive communities; it is so much more than merely educating young people in a different setting. I have really worked hard in helping my Dutch colleague, and she is genuinely interested and trying to change attitudes and shift ideals. It will be interesting in hearing from her the developments towards inclusive education in Holland.

We can all learn from each other. A learning network isn’t restricted merely to our school, our Local Authority or even the UK. We can learn from other countries and communities abroad.

Back to me not being able to say no, I just remembered that I’ve agreed to work with the Ethnic Diversity Service on establishing links with Pakistan! Cricket is big there, maybe I can get a game in should I visit!