The DfE have updated their guidance on SEND for Governing Bodies. They state that the purpose of this guidance is intended to: support school governing boards’ understanding of their role and responsibilities in relation to children and young people with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities; empower governors and trustees to hold their schools to … Continue reading SEND: guidance for school governing boards
Tag: SEND
Education Committee question Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson
Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education and permanent secretary Susan Acland-Hood appeared before the Education Committee on 15th January. You can watch a video of the meeting here. Amongst other things, they spoke about: National funding formula under review; Academy changes will introduce a pay ‘floor, but no ceiling’; ‘Improving Education Together’ partnership aimed … Continue reading Education Committee question Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson
Martyn Oliver speaks about Ofsted reform
Ofsted chief inspector Martyn Oliver spoke to education committee MPs on new report cards, safeguarding 'spot checks' and SEND worries amongst other things. You can read the transcript of the meeting on the Parliament website, here (where there is also am link to watch the recording of the meeting). Some of the points he made … Continue reading Martyn Oliver speaks about Ofsted reform
Ofsted annual report: education and social care serving most children well, but system pressures bite for most disadvantaged
Ofsted find that most children are well-served by the education sector and, in social care, life-changing work is being done for children and young people every day. However: Many reasons to be positive about future of education and children’s social care, but huge challenges remain. Education and care providers struggling to recruit and retain skilled … Continue reading Ofsted annual report: education and social care serving most children well, but system pressures bite for most disadvantaged
New specialist places to be created in mainstream schools
The Department for Education (DfE) has announced a £740 million cash injection from the Government to pave the way for more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to achieve and thrive in mainstream schools. This new funding can be used to adapt classrooms to be more accessible for children with SEND, and to … Continue reading New specialist places to be created in mainstream schools
Towards an Effective and Financially Sustainable Approach to SEND in England
A report on SEND commissioned by the County Councils Network and Local Government Association has been published by the ISOS Partnership. The key findings are that: More children and young people than ever before are being identified as having SEND; There are more children and young people than ever before whose needs are not being … Continue reading Towards an Effective and Financially Sustainable Approach to SEND in England
MPs told SEND system is in crisis
The f40 campaigning group, which represents the 40 or so worst educationally funded councils in England, recently held a meeting with more than 75 MPs and their representatives at a parliamentary briefing in Westminster. Also involved were the Local Government Association (LGA), and the County Councils Network (CCN). MPs were told that the number of … Continue reading MPs told SEND system is in crisis
New findings from a national study of young people with Special Educational Needs
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
Support for children and young people with special educational needs
A new report from the National Audit Office (NAO) finds that around 1.9 million children and young people aged 0 to 25 years in England (11%) were identified as having special educational needs (SEN) in January 2024, with 1.7 million at school. This won't come as a surprise to teachers. The report finds that "although … Continue reading Support for children and young people with special educational needs
Non-specialist mental health support for young people in England
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
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