School system failing pupils with additional needs
Eight in 10 (79 per cent) of school leaders say the current curriculum requirements are not providing the best outcomes for all of their pupils, according to a new report released from The Key.
School leaders say the system is falling short in its support for schools, with more than two-thirds (68 per cent) warning that they lack support to deliver the best outcomes for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and more than half (56 per cent) for pupils with English as an additional language (EAL). Two-fifths (43 per cent) also feel that those with an aptitude for vocational subjects are being held back.
The findings come just a few months after a recent government research report revealed that some local authorities do not have any procedures in place to collect and review the outcomes of pupils with SEND.
Over the next two years, almost half of primary leaders (46 per cent) and two in five (44 per cent) secondary leaders are not confident in their school’s ability to sufficiently provide for pupils with SEND.
Support in the form of teaching assistants may be set to diminish further, with more than two-thirds (68 per cent) of the 64 per cent of school leaders who need to make savings in 2017-18 planning to reduce their support staff.
Speaking about the findings, Fergal Roche, CEO of The Key said: “No pupil should get left behind because the education system doesn’t cater effectively for their needs or abilities.
“The national funding formula and high needs funding formula being phased in from 2018 do recognise the need for money to be allocated to pupils with EAL and SEND, however we must make sure that the curriculum recognises and allows for the needs of all pupils, and that schools are given the support needed to ensure those with additional or more complex needs can thrive.”
Of the 1,200 school leaders who completed the survey, many cited more funding, flexibility in the curriculum/assessments and additional specialist teaching assistants as possible solutions that would enable them to deliver better results for these pupils.
The Key is an organisation providing leadership and management support to schools.
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