According to the latest figures available from DfE, the number of secondary pupils in special schools in England exploded by 25% over the last year. This significant jump speaks to the acute need and demand for tailored education services. This big jump has left 8,000 more students than there are spots in special schools. The government finally decided to act on this urgent matter last December. They committed to this through their £740 million funding investment with the aim of providing 10,000 new school places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in mainstream schools.
It’s not working Even with heavy investment, less than one in ten mainstream schools have SEN units. These not-so-secret ingredients are the key to delivering intensive, hands-on support to students. What is most alarming from the DfE’s figures are the burgeoning declines in pupil numbers in the capital. With an impending decline in the birth rate, this trend will likely continue. Our demand for specialized educational services is set to surge. The demand for students requiring an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) is expected to increase from 229,000 in 2024-25 to 273,000 by 2028-29.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the £2 billion investment in funding was the right move at the right time.
“This investment is a big step towards delivering not only enough school places, but the right school places, supporting all children and particularly those with SEND, and plugging the significant gaps in provision we inherited.” – Phillipson
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has criticized the current SEND system, describing it as “in disarray“, “mired in red tape, lacking funding, and failing to produce value for money.” This criticism serves to underscore the immense task facing any administration. When considering the need for a viable schools transport alternative, it needs to meet the needs of the approximately 1.7 million school-aged SEN children in England.
This is the second year in a row that the DfE has collected data on special school capacity. This is one more example of the critical importance of addressing these capacity constraints with pupil numbers now increasing. Advocates should continue to put the pressure on the federal government to provide the resources and infrastructure necessary to ensure that this vulnerable student population is protected and made whole.
