Responding to the National Audit Office report on support for
pupils with special educational needs and disabilities in
England, Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of
School and College Leaders, said:
“This report highlights the fact that the system for supporting
children with special educational needs is creaking at the seams
because the level of government funding is inadequate. It rightly
concludes that the current situation is unsustainable.
“The government has recognised the urgency of this crisis with a
commitment to spend an additional £700m in 2020/21. This is a
welcome step in the right direction. However, evidence to the
House of Commons Education Committee has put the shortfall at
between £1.2bn and £1.6bn, and it is clear that further
investment will be needed.
“The National Audit Office report raises concerns that the demand
for special school places is growing because the system
incentivises mainstream primary and secondary schools to be less
inclusive. Our experience is that the vast majority of mainstream
schools strive to be inclusive and that they do an excellent job
in providing support for children with special educational needs
despite huge pressures on their funding.”
