Ministers’ SEND listening campaign ‘futile’, say parents But schools minister seeks to reassure parents of a ‘real dialogue’
PINS: Half of schools did not get full neurodiversity support Evaluators highlighted implementation challenges with the £22m programme’s first year in 1,669 schools
Spending watchdog defends SEND budget forecast OBR official says it was ‘reasonable’ to illustrate the potential impact on the schools budget
Ofsted: Too many pupils ‘out of step with expectations of school life’ The watchdog’s chief inspector also warns social media and smartphones are also partly responsible for disruptive behaviour
Three councils allowed to breach minimum school funding rules North Tyneside, Bracknell Forest and – for the third year in a row – Kent all ‘gained approval to set a lower value’ due to SEND deals
Budget bedlam: £20bn SEND black hole prompts DfE row with spending watchdog Former adviser says Treasury is ‘trying to force the pace’ of reforms
EYFS: Rise in ‘school ready’ pupils – but government way off target More reception pupils achieve ‘good level of development’ this year, but improvement rate below what’s required to hit 75% target
Budget 2025: Government faces £6bn SEND shortfall once override ends Spending watchdog warns ‘no savings have been identified’ to offset pressure on government coffers of end to council budgeting shield
Council facing £183m SEND deficit warns of ‘devastating consequences’ Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole council demands ‘urgent action’ ahead of budget – including using high needs cash to cover £10m interest payments