The head of the ASCL union has strongly criticized CEOs and school leaders who turn away students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), urging them to adopt more ethical and inclusive leadership practices.
Pepe Di’Iasio, marking his first conference as ASCL’s general secretary, emphasized that while broad reform of SEND is necessary, leaders must foster a culture that embraces inclusivity. He stressed the importance of providing schools with the resources they need to support these students and creating accountability measures that reward schools for inclusivity rather than punishing them.
Concerns about exclusion have been raised by Schools Week, which has reported instances where some schools actively discourage children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) from applying, due to the financial burden of supporting these students. Schools are required to cover the first £6,000 of support costs detailed in an EHCP, which some schools try to avoid.
Urgency to Model Ethical Leadership
Speaking to Schools Week, Di’Iasio said the actions of some school leaders must be “called out.” He pointed out that non-inclusive behaviors often stem from previous leadership examples, which he believes need to be corrected. He added, “We need to be ethical models for the next generation. The majority of school leaders want to do the right thing, but they are under immense pressure due to the current system.”
As a former head of a school with many SEND students, Di’Iasio expressed concern that changes would be slow, especially given proposed changes to Ofsted’s inspection framework. Under the new framework, schools would need to demonstrate that student attainment is in line with national averages in order to achieve a “secure” rating for achievement. Di’Iasio warned this could create barriers for schools to admit students with SEND or mental health needs.
Immediate Action Needed on SEND Deficits
Di’Iasio called for urgent action to address the crisis in SEND funding. He pointed out the severe financial strain local councils are facing, with many predicting bankruptcy due to estimated deficits of £4.9 billion. This situation is expected to worsen once a financial measure that keeps deficits off local authority books expires next April.
He suggested that instead of continuing to service this debt, the government should redirect the funds into direct support for SEND provision. “Money currently spent on tribunals, long EHCP processes, and transport could be better invested in the actual provision for young people,” Di’Iasio explained.
While some reforms will require new legislation, he argued that many changes could be made immediately with the right investment and a realignment of priorities.
ASCL to Press for Reform in Education
During ASCL’s conference, Di’Iasio will meet with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Ofsted chief Sir Martyn Oliver. He hopes to hear from Phillipson about easing accountability pressures on schools, such as scrapping the EBacc performance measure.
Di’Iasio plans to interview Phillipson on stage, asking her to reflect on the “highs and lows” of her tenure. He criticized the government’s messaging on the Schools Bill, suggesting that the intentions behind the reforms have not always been clear.
Additionally, Di’Iasio welcomed comments from Ofsted’s Lee Owston, who signaled a potential rethink of the agency’s controversial plans for a “report card” system for schools. Owston indicated that the agency would reconsider if there is strong sector-wide opposition.
Di’Iasio expressed cautious optimism, noting that while ASCL had struggled to make progress on SEND issues in the past, Owston’s recent comments were reassuring. He hopes the dialogue will continue in a more positive direction.
