Commenting on a new Education Committee report calling for root
and branch reform of SEND support in mainstream schools,
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National
Education Union, said:
"MPs have shown an understanding that the SEND crisis needs
drastic solutions which are not cheap. The forthcoming Education
White Paper must reflect this and provide radical but essential
solutions in its proposals.
"Families as well as teachers and leaders will welcome the
recognition that mainstream schools need additional resources to
meet SEND need.
"Any 'root and branch' change to the system has to come from
government. It must be more than just increased teacher and
support staff CPD. The sector needs a firm commitment to a more
understanding and inclusive behaviour and attendance model. We
also need reform of the curriculum, assessment and accountability
that has inclusion at its core.
"The NEU has long campaigned for improvements on child poverty
and specifically the removal of the two-child benefit cap. This
reminder to government to continue its focus on tackling poverty
as part of the inclusion agenda must be taken seriously.
"Teachers and support staff stand ready alongside pupils and
their families to work with the government on getting SEND
provision right and building a more inclusive education system so
that every child can thrive."
