ASCL responds to NAO report on home-to-school transport

Commenting on the National Audit Office report which says SEND reforms need to address home-to-school transport pressures, Pepe Di'Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said:

“We are concerned that the national conversation about children with special educational needs and disabilities has increasingly become focused on cost.

“Let's be clear that these youngsters often require special school provision and home-to-school transport is vital in ensuring they are able to access that support.

“We expect the government's forthcoming reforms to focus on supporting more children with SEND in mainstream schools.

“This may have the knock-on effect of reducing home-to-school transport costs.

“However, these reforms will be a huge undertaking which will require investment, training and resources, and will take time to implement.

“Even then, many children will continue to need the support of special schools.

“We have to put the needs of these youngsters first and ensure that the SEND system and associated costs are sufficiently funded both now and in the future.”