More support for children with additional needs
Warwickshire County Council is well on the way to implementing measures announced by the government to improve support for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) and disabilities.
Last week, Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, announced proposals to help make life easier for parents of pupils with additional needs and maximise their potential. He highlighted improving pupil assessments, reviewing the supply of trained SEN teachers, and providing new guidance to tackle exclusions.
In the announcement, Mr Balls outlined how these areas will be addressed. He stated that teacher training now includes specialist modules on SEN and that funding will be made available to train up to 4,000 specialist dyslexia teachers nationally over the next two years.
The government will make tackling SEN exclusions a priority as children with SEN are more than eight times as likely to be excluded. New behaviour guidance will aim to address the specific needs of pupils and will ask local authorities to draw on partnership support to address behaviour issues as early as possible.
He went on to report that feedback from parents has highlighted a need for clearer, more transparent assessment processes. In response the government will challenge local authorities to communicate better with parents to make processes less stressful for them and to improve parental confidence.
Warwickshire County Council will take these points into account as they consult on and prepare release of the revised SEN strategy next year.
Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “We have been reviewing our SEN strategy to reflect the vision of the 21st century school and to better prepare our students for the future.
“This will be published early in the new year after full consultation with schools and other stakeholders.”