Schools in England are struggling to support the 1.1 million pupils with special needs or disabilities (SEND) in mainstream classrooms, a report says.

A survey of 1,100 school leaders found delays to assessments, insufficient budgets and cuts to local authorities were hampering the ability to cope.

The study by The Key, which provides leadership and management support to schools, calls for increased funding.

The government says it has increased funding for those with "high needs".

Department for Education (DfE) statistics published last year showed there were more than 1.3 million children in England - 15% of pupils - identified as having special educational needs or disabilities.

How are children with special educational needs supported?

Of these, 1.1 million are in mainstream schools rather than special schools.

The research by The Key suggested:

  • 82% of mainstream schools in England do not have sufficient funding and budget to adequately provide for pupils with SEND
  • 89% of school leaders believe cuts to local authority services have had a detrimental impact on the support their school receives for pupils with SEND
  • Three-quarters of schools have pupils who have been waiting longer than expected for assessment of special educational needs or an education, health and care plan
  • 88% of school leaders think initial teacher training does not adequately prepare teachers to support pupils with SEND

Read More...

 


Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.


20/11/24Medway education leader and head of Rivermead Inclusive Trust receives OBE from Prince William

An education boss, who left school without any basic qualifications and worked as a hospital cleaner to fund her teacher training, has been recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours List. Tina Lovey, who rose through the ranks and is now the boss of a thriving academy trust with schools across Medway, was awarded an OBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle.

19/11/24Special Educational Needs system 'has burst'

Children with complex needs are being sent to private schools up to 200 miles away from home because there is not enough capacity in the state system, a BBC investigation has found. Councils struggling to cope with an unprecedented number of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are increasingly reliant upon private providers. Headteachers say funding from government has not kept pace with soaring demand, meaning both mainstream and special schools are struggling to cope.

13/11/24‘Excessive’ 20 hours mentor training requirement scrapped

The government will also launch a new re-accreditation round for initial teacher training providers in spring

12/11/24Majority of parents not deterred by fines for term-time family holidays – survey

The Government should review the marketing and pricing of ‘rip-off’ family holidays, according to Parentkind charity.

11/11/24Anti-Bullying Week 2024: Choose Respect

Anti-Bullying Week 2024 will take place from Monday 11th - Friday 15th November, with the theme: Choose Respect.