The UK government has announced a £740 million investment to help mainstream schools accommodate more pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The funding aims to reduce the pressure on special schools, which are currently overwhelmed by high demand.
Bridget Phillipson, the Education Secretary, will unveil the additional funding, which is part of the Department for Education’s £6.7 billion capital budget announced during the autumn budget. The money will be used to improve accessibility in classrooms and create specialist facilities within mainstream schools to better support students with SEND.
Phillipson emphasized the need for reform, highlighting that too many children with additional needs have not received timely support, leading to worsening problems. “We are committed to creating a system where more children with SEND can attend mainstream schools,” she said. “We will work closely with local authorities, schools, and families to ensure that inclusion is central to education and that all pupils receive the support they need.”
The funding is expected to benefit thousands of students across the country. It will help adapt existing classrooms and build new facilities that cater to the diverse needs of SEND pupils, making mainstream schools more accessible and inclusive.
The number of children with identified special needs has risen sharply in recent years. As of last year, 576,000 children in England had an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), a document that outlines the extra support required for these pupils. However, a severe shortage of special school places has led to tensions between parents and local authorities, with some councils having to rely on costly private special schools to meet the demand.
Paul Whiteman, General Secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, welcomed the new funding but stressed that it should be part of a long-term strategy. “There simply isn’t enough capacity in either mainstream or special schools to provide all children with the support they need,” he said. “This funding should be just the start of sustained investment in specialist facilities, more special school places, and the support professionals need to help children with SEND.”
Leora Cruddas, Chief Executive of the Confederation of School Trusts, agreed, noting that there is broad consensus on the need for change. “The current SEND system is not working,” she said. “This funding initiative has the potential to make a real difference for children in schools today, but fixing the system will take time.”
This funding announcement marks the government’s latest effort to address the challenges faced by children with SEND, with the aim of ensuring that all students can access an education that meets their needs.
Related topics: