This new report published by the Education Policy Institute, commissioned by The Prudence Trust and in partnership with Youth Access, finds significant gaps in early mental health support for young people across England – and a rise in the number of young people reaching a crisis point. The report finds that: There is substantial variation … Continue reading Non-specialist mental health support for young people in England
Tag: SEND
Experts urge the Government to prioritise mental health for better school attendance
Place2bE, NGA and a number of other agencies have co-signed an open letter to the Secretary of State for Education calling for the Government to tackle the attendance crisis by prioritising inclusion, enrichment, mental health, and special educational needs support. You can read the letter in full on the Place2Be website, here
Educational outcomes for SEND pupils have failed to improve over the last decade
A new report by Isos Partnership commissioned by the County Councils Network and the Local Government Association was released on 25 July. The study concludes that the current system is not working for families, schools and councils alike. The report is called Towards an effective and financially sustainable approach to SEND in England, and highhlights … Continue reading Educational outcomes for SEND pupils have failed to improve over the last decade
NGA School and Trust Annual Governance Survey 2024
The NGA has just published its latest (14th) School and Trust Annual Governance Survey. Highlight findings include: Funding Financial sustainability under threat Budget pressures intensify Falling pupil numbers Curriculum breadth at risk SEND funding crisis deepens Pupil, family and community needs SEND support demands surge Attendance is high priority Expanding school services Safeguarding issues growing … Continue reading NGA School and Trust Annual Governance Survey 2024
What do SEN parents want would-be MPs to know?
This aticle from BBC News (Essex) highlights parents' concerns that SEN does not figure highly enough on political parties' agendas. SEN is an increasingly serious issue in schools across the country - including Derbyshire - so this is a timely article. It usefully summarieses what each party is promising around SEN. You can read the … Continue reading What do SEN parents want would-be MPs to know?
Problems with SEND provision
Several articles focus on the issues with SEND funding - here are a few of them: Schools Week has documented the growing crisis; BBC: Councils in England are forecasting a massive shortfall in budgets for SEND; The Guardian: Record 576,000 pupils have special needs support plan in England; The Independent: Children with special needs are … Continue reading Problems with SEND provision
School spending in England: a guide to the debate during the 2024 general election
This new report by Luke Sibieta from The Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) seeks to inform the debate on school funding during the 2024 general election by analysing past trends and likely future pressures. Key findings inlcude: Spending on English schools fell by c. 9% in real terms between 2010 and 2019, but increased spending … Continue reading School spending in England: a guide to the debate during the 2024 general election
Financial distress in local authorities – impact on SEND
In its report "Financial distress in local authorities" published today (1st February 2024) the Levelling Up, Housing and Communities Committee comments in detail on the current funding issues in local authorities. This includes a chapter on SEND, in which it notes: The amount of funding provided by the Department for Education has not kept pace … Continue reading Financial distress in local authorities – impact on SEND
NGA Manifesto for Schools and Trusts
The NGA has published its new manifesto, "From Classrooms to Communities: A Manifesto for Schools and Trusts." This comprehensive document outlines key challenges faced by schools and academy trusts in the UK and presents a set of proposals aimed at addressing these issues.Included in the manifesto are the following topics: Staff Wellbeing and Recruitment Estates … Continue reading NGA Manifesto for Schools and Trusts
Delivering Better Value in SEND?
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?
SEND reforms to be trialled across England
Thirty-two regions across England have been selected to trial the SEND reforms detailed in the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan (March 2023). The list and the Plan can be viewed via the links below, but Derbyshire is not included. AP Improvement Plan SEND reform trials list
Changes made to school inspections
Ofsted announced changes to improve aspects of its work with schools on 12 June 2023. Changes to inspection processes, a revised complaints procedure and new wellbeing investment from government, are part of a package of measures being announced following a wide-ranging debate about the impact of school inspections. You can read a press release about … Continue reading Changes made to school inspections
SEND and alternative provision improvement plan
The Government published its long awaited SEND and alternative provision improvement plan on 2 March 2023 - you can find it on the DfE website here. You can find both the full report "SEND and alternative provision improvement plan: right support, right place, right time" and the "SEND and alternative provision roadmap" on this page. The NGA, who … Continue reading SEND and alternative provision improvement plan
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