NGA publishes policy paper on SEND

16 Dec 2025 ~ Bruce Levitan ~ Leave a comment

Findings from NGA’s annual governance survey reveal an education system under growing strain. Supporting pupils with SEND has seen the steepest rise as the top challenge for governing boards across England (cited by 63% of respondents) and is accompanied by sharp increases in SEND-related pressures such as difficulties accessing funding and securing education, health and … Continue reading NGA publishes policy paper on SEND

Double Disadvantage?

17 Oct 2025 ~ Bruce Levitan

"Double Disadvantage?" is the title of a new report from the Sutton Trust focussing on support for children with SEND. It concludes that The number of children with SEND is growing. Since 2014, the rate of growth has been faster for children not eligible for free school meals (FSM) in many categories of SEND, with … Continue reading Double Disadvantage?

New findings from a national study of young people with Special Educational Needs

31 Oct 2024 ~ Bruce Levitan

The SEND Futures Discovery Phase study is a national study carried out by the National Centre for Social Research, in collaboration with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) on behalf of the Department for Education. Across two rounds of data collection, the study has gathered information and views from around 3000 parents of young people with … Continue reading New findings from a national study of young people with Special Educational Needs

Delivering Better Value in SEND?

13 Sep 20231 Nov 2023 ~ Bruce Levitan

The latest controversy in education seems to be whether the DfE aims to reduce EHC plans by 20%, despite the Education Minister's denials. This centres on a contract between the DfE and external supplier Newton Europe issued in July 2022 and running until the end of May 2024. You can downoad a redacted copy of … Continue reading Delivering Better Value in SEND?