What GCSE uptake in special schools could tell us about inclusion
GCSE performance is increasing among special school students. Does this suggest more should be taught in mainstream?
9th May 2025, 5:00am
The number of pupils in special schools has been spiralling, along with a capacity crisis and looming local authority bankruptcies.
And a big part of the solution, according to education secretary Bridget Phillipson, is a bright, more inclusive future for mainstream schools.
Some supporters of this policy point to the rising number of students in specialist settings taking GCSEs as evidence that many could, with the right support, attend a mainstream school.
Does this hold up? Tes has analysed attainment data and spoken to experts to find out.
Read more…. https://www.tes.com/magazine/news/general/what-special-school-gcse-uptake-could-tell-inclusion