A recent survey conducted by the National Education Union (NEU) reveals teachers’ concerns about the size of their classes being too large and the inadequate staff support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).
The NEU findings indicate that 89% of teachers believe that class sizes are too large, with 83% expressing that insufficient staff is a significant obstacle to fully meeting the needs of Send pupils in schools.
Only 22% of NEU members surveyed, out of 10,311 respondents, expressed confidence in the effectiveness of referring a pupil for Send assessment, diagnosis, or support to receive the necessary assistance.
NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede has emphasized the incapacity of mainstream schools to handle current levels of need, urging government officials to increase funding for Send system reforms. Kebede stressed the importance of swift access to special needs support in schools without complex bureaucratic processes and called for a raise in the planned Inclusion Grant to align with the government’s educational goals.
As part of the government’s Send system reforms, schools nationwide will be mandated to create individual support plans (ISPs) for every Send child, and existing education, health, and care plans (EHCPs) will undergo review upon primary or secondary school completion.
The reforms are supported by a £1.6 billion budget allocated over three years to enhance inclusivity in mainstream schools, colleges, and early years settings. Teachers have highlighted that additional funding for classroom support and access to specialists would significantly enhance Send provision in schools.
In response, a Department for Education spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to inclusive education, citing a £4 billion investment to improve training for teachers and support staff on Send, ensure access to Send specialists, and provide direct funding for schools to promote inclusive practices.
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