Schools given £740m to adapt buildings for Send pupils

The government has announced £740m of funding to increase the number of places for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in mainstream schools in England.

??The money, part of the £6.7bn of education spending announced in the Budget, will be targeted towards adapting school buildings to make them more accessible.

??In October, the National Audit Office (NAO) said parents had lost faith in a Send system “in urgent need of reform”.

??Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told BBC News she "hears the frustration" of parents but significant changes would take time.

BBC News analysis suggests the number of Send pupils in mainstream education in England has increased by a third since the 2015-16 academic year.

At Brighouse High School, in West Yorkshire, head teacher Richard Horsfield worries about not having enough funding to support pupils with Send - in terms of both educational support and capital spending on the school building.

The school supports them well - but more money is needed.

Don't worry, please call us anyway to discuss your ideal job.

10/06/25'I couldn't imagine not teaching full-time - until I had my baby'

Alice returned to work three days a week at Oasis Academy Warndon in April and is on a flexible working arrangement for the next year, which means she can also take Oliver to regular baby group sessions. She believes delivering more flexible working options for teachers - especially those who are new parents - is going to be key to addressing ongoing issues with recruitment and retention in the profession. She wants all new parent teachers to be offered such flexibility, to allow them to "feel confident that taking that step forward in their personal life isn't going to lead to a step back in their professional life".

02/06/25£740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND

£740 million allocated for 10,000 new places for pupils with SEND New SEND places to create more inclusive classrooms in mainstream schools, delivering on Plan for Change to break down barriers to opportunity. From: Department for Education and The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP Published 27 March 2025

29/05/25Children with special needs in England may lose legal right to school support plans

Hundreds of thousands of children with special needs could lose their legal entitlement to extra support in schools in England under plans being considered by ministers, a move that campaigners warn could force thousands more pupils out of mainstream education.

23/05/25More Teachers to benefit from flexible working Government extend successful programme that supports teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours.

Press release More Teachers to benefit from flexible working. Government extend successful programme that supports teachers to plan lessons from home, job-share or work flexible hours.

20/05/25Headteachers in England, Wales and NI say Send provision crisis is worsening

Headteachers in England, Wales and NI say Send provision crisis is worsening Nine out of 10 school leaders tell survey they are finding it harder to meet special needs of pupils than a year ago. Almost all (98%) of the respondents to a National Association of Head Teachers’ (NAHT) poll covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland said they did not have the resources to meet the needs of all their pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

1 January 2025

9thSend is the 'bggest issue' for schools - Ofsted