SEND
The latest news, analysis, research and advice relating to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) sector
Friday
20th Feb 2026
鈥楥haotic SEND reform leaks have caused anxiety and entrenchment鈥�
The government鈥檚 narrative on SEND reform is also hugely problematic, argues Warren Carratt, leader of a special-school MAT
DfE warned on lack of state capacity for private SEND pupils
Leaders raise concern that the government鈥檚 fees plan could lead to 鈥榗atastrophic鈥� loss of independent special school provision
How specialist staff shortages threaten Labour鈥檚 6,500 teachers target
The government鈥檚 key manifesto pledge to deliver 6,500 more teachers could hinge on recruitment into special schools and AP: here鈥檚 why that鈥檚 a challenge
School trips give pupils 鈥榮trongest sense of belonging鈥�
Students feel most connected to school when they take part in activities outside the classroom, such as sports days and school trips, suggests University of Oxford research
Exclusive
Thursday
19th Feb 2026
DfE promises 鈥榗rackdown鈥� on spiralling private special school fees
National standards and price bands to be introduced for independent special schools as part of government SEND reforms
SEND crisis 鈥榟arder to fix鈥� with schools outside strong MATs
Government inclusion adviser Tom Rees speaks to 糖心Vlog ahead of the publication of the schools White Paper and SEND reform plans
SEND transport bill could hit 拢3.4bn by 2030, councils warn
Local authorities could be transporting 100,000 more pupils with SEND to school by the end of the decade unless there is significant reform, say councils
Monday
16th Feb 2026
DfE commits 拢26m to recruit more educational psychologists
Funding for hundreds more educational psychologists announced amid concerns that specialists are spending too much time on admin rather than supporting children
We鈥檝e got SEND support the wrong way around
Writing ahead of the government announcing special educational needs reforms, head Keziah Featherstone says support should be universally available in schools 鈥� not something that children have to wait years for
Schools face wait for 鈥榰rgently needed鈥� medical guidance
Minister says new guidance on supporting pupils with medical conditions won鈥檛 be published until the spring after MPs warn of young people being left 鈥榚xposed鈥�