SEND

With the government wanting mainstream schools to open specialist provision, heads warn that this can lead to increased pressures from parents and other schools

While overall Sats scores have been creeping upwards, a significant – and growing – minority of children are deemed unable to sit the tests. Cerys Turner uncovers the reasons behind a widening gap in KS2 assessment

Minister is asked about how specialist places in mainstream schools will be staffed during latest public engagement event

‘Better training’ is often cited as the first step in improving inclusive practice in schools, but this might not be the simple fix it seems, as Margaret Mulholland explains

Government announces that the use of its national formula for allocating high-needs funding for councils will be paused ahead of its planned reforms to the SEND system

Teachers ‘struggle to deal with the diverse demands placed upon them’, warns EIS union as it points to the stress and workload associated with additional support needs

A working group on tackling the SEND crisis is launched by Reform UK, to be led by former DfE minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns

When we notice and act on pupils’ needs quickly, it can make a huge difference, says Anne Heavey, but teachers must have the right support to be able to do this well

Pupils with SEND have far higher absence rates than those without. We need systemic change, not simply a focus on attendance, argues this headteacher

Leaders question government decision to drop special and alternative provision free schools amid pressure for specialist places

Leaders question education secretary’s suggestion that creating more specialist places in mainstream schools will address SEND cost pressures outlined in Budget

DfE announces plans to create 50,000 new specialist places but up to 77 free school projects could be replaced, with councils getting funding instead