SEN | Schools Week

Access arrangements for SEND pupils ‘too strict and confusing’, say exam officers

Schools find exam access arrangements increasingly strict and confusing, according to the body that represents exams officers. Many schools want “much clearer” guidance on access, as well as special consideration for pupils with additional needs, according to research by the International Examination Officers’ Association. Some officers have even warned that extra help may be being […]

Headteacher boards swerve post-16 and SEND despite DfE promises

The headteacher boards have been ignoring post-16 and SEND experts in their decisions on academisation – even though the government promised they would be included. The Department for Education said the boards, which advise the regional schools commissioners on rebrokering and academy conversion, would seek “specific advice” from post-16 and special needs experts, but Schools […]

SEND experts demand review of high-needs funding rules

New funding rules will create a “perverse incentive” for schools to “over-identify” pupils as having special educational needs and disabilities, a policy expert has warned. Brian Gale (pictured), the director of policy and campaigns at the National Deaf Children’s Society and a former council pupil support director, fears a rule-change due in 2019 will see […]

5 things to celebrate about special educational needs provision in 2017

We all know that special educational needs provision is nowhere near where we need it to be, but that’s not to say there haven’t been moments to celebrate, writes Adam Boddison It would be easy to write a review of SEND (special educational needs and/or disabilities) in 2017 by listing all of the challenges we […]

Pupils on ‘SEN support’ fare worse than pupils with EHCPs

Pupils with special needs have better outcomes if they have an education health and care plan (EHCP) or statement – but those without statements or plans are being let down, Ofsted has warned. Children categorised as needing “SEN support” are more likely to have their needs overlooked, be excluded, and achieve less well than those […]

Stop labelling summer-born pupils as SEN!

There’s a huge difference in the attainment of older and younger pupils in the same year, and it’s too often misdiagnosed, says Stephen Gorard It is well known that summer-born pupils leave school with lower grades than their peers, but research has now shown that they are also diagnosed by schools with special educational needs […]

SEN pupils more likely to be unhappy at school, study finds

Secondary pupils with special educational needs (SEN) are more likely to be unhappy at school than their peers, a new wellbeing study has found. The research, commissioned by the Department for Education and published today, also found that SEN pupils were more likely to have psychological difficulties, including hyperactivity and inactivity, conduct problems, and were more […]

Nearly half of schools fail to offer work experience to SEND pupils

One in three schools is not offering pupils with special educational needs (SEND) work experience, sidelining “precisely” the young people who need the most employment help. New government figures show that 42 per cent of schools and sixth forms are not offering their SEND pupils any kind of “work-related activity”, let alone ensuring they get […]

SEND learners are airbrushed from education policy

Influential literacy reports by leading think tanks and charities have ignored the thousands of children who will never catch up in reading and writing but who can still achieve a full and rounded education, says Chris Rossiter “Dyslexia isn’t even a thing”; “exam extra time is a middle class purchase”; “the dyslexia industry selling specialist […]