SEND

The latest news, analysis, research and advice relating to the special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) sector

Friday

12th Sep 2025

Barton: Ofsted inclusion plan ‘diluted’ without admissions focus
Taskforce chair says it will be wrong to consider schools to be strong on inclusion if they are happy for local students ‘to be sent in a taxi elsewhere’
Geoff Barton
DfE warned against quick-fix cuts in SEND reforms
IFS warns that any reforms that would reduce pupils’ rights to cut costs could risk a repeat of the backlash over welfare changes
Piggy bank with band aid

Thursday

11th Sep 2025

SEND overseas: 5 lessons from Germany’s schools
A trust leader reflects on what they learned from a trip to Germany about how other nations approach special education needs and disabilities provision
Berlin, Germany

Wednesday

10th Sep 2025

Literacy, attendance and SEMH: ‘key barriers’ for disadvantaged pupils
Analysis of more than 1,200 pupil premium strategy statements identifies main challenges facing schools
synthetic, phonics

Tuesday

9th Sep 2025

5 strategies to boost pupil engagement in an AP
An assistant principal at an alternative-provision setting explains how staff get pupils – and parents – onside and engaged in education again

Monday

8th Sep 2025

Commissioner demands education plans for pupils needing support
Dame Rachel de Souza calls for support plans for pupils who are not meeting expected standards, are excluded or persistently or severely absent
Nearly 3 in 4 primaries won’t have mental health support

Monday

1st Sep 2025

DfE brings in new standards for non-school alternative provision
Schools will be required to inform councils of placements of students at unregistered providers
primary arts and crafts

Friday

29th Aug 2025

Why 20 years at a special school has been a joy and privilege
A teacher embarking on another year at a SEMH special school explains why we she fell in love with a challenging job – and keeps on coming back for more
Woman solving rubik's cube

Wednesday

27th Aug 2025

School anxiety ‘a big factor’ in ASN pupils’ absence
Children with additional support needs who are not attending school often lack ‘appropriate support and positive relationships with trusted adults’, says report
School anxiety is a major factor in ASN pupils' absence, research shows

Thursday

21st Aug 2025

Children with vision impairment can wait 18 months for basic help
Habilitation services, which are crucial if children with vision impairment are to overcome educational and other barriers, face a ‘growing crisis’ in Scotland
child having eye test

Wednesday

20th Aug 2025

Most requests for specialist places in S1 are rejected
Support for ASN pupils in mainstream schools is becoming ‘unmanageable’ as families are struggling to find specialist provision, warn secondary school leaders
Marker pen with cross

Tuesday

19th Aug 2025

New inclusion taskforce members revealed
Baroness Nicky Morgan and CST chief executive Leora Cruddas among line-up of taskforce chaired by Geoff Barton
Leora Cruddas, Geoff Barton and Baroness Nicky Morgan