Commenting on the latest statistical release from the Department for Education of the numbers of pupils in England with special educational needs support or an Education, Health and Care plan, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
“These figures show yet another rise in pupils with SEND, just a week after government reported a fall of 1,900 teachers in schools. The government wants to improve inclusion for pupils with SEND in mainstream schools, but the combination of high class-sizes and rising classroom need is unsustainable.
“If the government is serious about improving inclusion, it must use the opportunity of falling pupil numbers to reduce class sizes and improve provision, not to cut teacher numbers. This starts with implementing fully funded, above inflation pay rises and improvements in workload to attract and retain teachers in the profession. Every child deserves the support they need to succeed and thrive at school. Rising SEND need must be reflected with increased resourcing, not cutting costs.”