Schools Struggle to Meet SEND Pupils' Needs Despite £740m Funding Boost

Schools Struggle to Meet Send Pupils’ Needs Despite £740m Funding Boost

Many have applauded the government’s latest announcement of £740m to improve special education requirements and disability (Send) provision in schools. For parents and teachers, however, the money is merely a fleeting fix in a system beset with long-standing problems.

Although the money seeks to modify classrooms and provide specialised SEN areas, some contend that more fundamental changes and consistent funding are required to solve the underlying problems.

“We are dedicated to improving the system,” the Education Secretary added. But change takes time, and this money is only a starting point.

What Reality Do Schools Currently Face on the Ground?

West Yorkshire schools such as Brighouse High reflect the challenge. Most teachers have agreed that they should seek to include Sending students to regular school for years. Still, financial restrictions and poor resources sometimes prevent them from entirely meeting students’ demands.

Headteacher Richard Horsfield remarked, “We believe children flourish in mainstream settings when they have the right support.” Still, we need more money.

The school’s budget suffered greatly this summer as it spent £10,000 on accessible improvements like restrooms and handrails. Still, other vital problems remain unanswered, most notably the damaged lift in the school, which would cost £250,000 to repair.

“We cannot afford it,” Horsfield remarked. “A pupil who uses a wheelchair must thus go outdoors and across car lots to reach some classrooms. That is not at all acceptable.

In what ways are limited resources affecting students?

More money for infrastructure is only one aspect. In recent years, Brighouse High’s number of learning support assistants has almost halved, reducing the workforce needed to assist students with various needs.

Once a lifeline, specialist therapy services have also become less common. Notwithstanding these difficulties, the institution aims to provide specific seminars to assist with mental wellness and academic success.

Pupil Charlie described how much he depends on this help: “I can’t concentrate alone. I would sit about doing nothing.

Fellow student Freya agreed: “Having a safe space where I can go if I feel overwhelmed makes a huge difference. The teachers are so supportive.”

Why are parents pushing for systematic reform?

The National Audit Office observed that parents had “lost faith in a Send system in urgent need of reform,” and demanded immediate improvements. Schools are under even more strain as the number of Send students in mainstream classrooms has risen by a third since 2015–16.

What parents see as a patchwork approach to funding irritates them. Many believe their children need the help required to flourish in inclusive settings.

One parent pointed out, “throwing money at the problem won’t solve it.” “We need a system that truly fits every child, not only band-aid solutions.”

Can inclusive government plans be successful?

According to the government’s Send pupil vision, more children should be kept in regular classrooms, and specialist placements should be less needed. SEN units in schools are meant to close the gap with customised, intense support.

Many teachers caution that these ideas can only fall apart with consistent funding and improved staff training.

The Education Secretary noted, “Schools are doing amazing work.” However, they have yet to receive government support. That is what must be changed.

Regarding inclusive education, what is the larger picture?

Schools like Brighouse High are resolved to make inclusion a reality even as the argument over financing and reform rumbles on. Still, their difficulties highlight the discrepancy between policy aspirations and actual application.

For students with Send, having the appropriate help can transform and open opportunities for education, confidence, and a better future. But reaching there for every child calls for a dedication to systematic transformation beyond occasional cash announcements.

Horsfield remarked, “We’ll keep doing our best; but, we need the tools to match our vision.” These kids belong to nothing less.

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