Alma White has already started a campaign to lobby for such legislation. With the exception of post-19 provision where her aim is to protect young people with special educational needs. This initiative comes as her son, Caleb, who is autistic and has special educational needs, approaches the end of his time at a special school. Whatever the case, White is getting ready to graduate from high school in a little over a year. Through his campaign Caleb’s Cause, he is seeking to address the support shortfalls for school leavers with special educational needs.
That’s why this campaign is so urgent. We are currently experiencing a massive surge in the number of pupils being admitted to special schools throughout Northern Ireland. During this time, the number of pupils more than doubled from 6,403 in 2020/21 to 7,462 in 2024/25. That breathtaking 17% jump represents more than 1,000 new students welcomed in only five years! Right now, 40 special schools across Northern Ireland are struggling to keep up with this growing enrollment, all while facing the increasing weight of this card.
Bernie Davis, principal of Park School, has expressed his worry about what all these new pupils mean. He indicated that class sizes are now above or over the ideal number. This dramatic influx has created a tremendous strain on their staffing, workload, and resources.
“The rise in pupil numbers has also placed considerable pressure on staffing, workload and resources,” – Bernie Davis
Davis went into more detail about the incredible stress overcrowding places on school facilities. He pointed out that specialized spaces like locker rooms and shower rooms have been turned into classrooms. This in turn has removed much needed space for staff wellbeing and interdisciplinary collaboration.
“Specialist space such as changing rooms and shower facilities have been repurposed as classrooms, and staff rooms are increasingly used for teaching, reducing essential space for staff wellbeing and collaboration,” – Bernie Davis
The battle doesn’t stop at a lack of physical space. It follows students into the quality of education and overall pupil health. In her testimony, Davis said the lack of resources is starting to affect the delivery of home-to-school transportation, jeopardizing the quality of provision for students.
“The strain is beginning to impact the quality of provision and pupil wellbeing, as space, time and adult support become increasingly stretched,” – Bernie Davis
White from his role, but he is still understandably deeply worried about the future for our young people with special educational needs. These hurdles complicate their transition into adulthood, creating crises of concern. The National Disability Policy frame is not set up to support people needing lifelong support beyond exiting school.
“I am very concerned about the ability to provide any provision when these young children transition to adulthood,” – Alma White
Alliance MLA Michelle Guy has queried the increase in the pupil cap in the assembly. She stressed that without new legislation to tackle these gaps, departments might not have the collaboration needed to offer the best support.
Davis agreed, saying that “legislation related to special school children is approximately 38 years old and needs to be updated.” He added that until new legislation is passed, young people with special needs will continue to slip through the cracks. Weeding out this sticker shock shouldn’t be mysterious or overly complicated.
“Without new laws in place departments will not collaborate to the extent needed, provision will not be available and once again our young people will continue to fall between the cracks,” – Bernie Davis
There are currently no specialist colleges in Northern Ireland provision for young people with special educational needs. These students require significant support with their transition from secondary school to postsecondary educational endeavors. For the majority of people who need more intensive supports, postsecondary education is simply not possible.
