FEATURE FOCUS: SEND
SEND support: a closer look at the challenges and solutions in schools today
across the country this year. This was according to 6,000+ teachers and school leaders who shared their views in our 2023 Pearson School Report. While double the number of primary teachers anticipate this to be a challenge compared to their secondary school counterparts, the worries around SEND provision most certainly extends across phases: 7 in 10 of all teachers we surveyed believe that these students are not being effectively supported to aspire and achieve by the current education system.
I
n our second feature this month on SEND we speak to Suha Yassin, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Lead at Pearson, who outlines some of the challenges facing schools today when it comes to SEND provision, and offers her thoughts on how these can be overcome.
Supporting learners with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) is expected to be one of the biggest challenges facing schools
At Pearson, we believe everyone should have the same opportunity to achieve their full potential and to be successful in education, and in later life - whatever their background, ability or identity. So, in our School Report research we asked what could be done to help make mainstream schools more inclusive for children and young people with a broad range of additional learning needs or SEND. Of the 2,500 teachers who responded to this question, many spoke of the additional support they needed, either in terms of general support staff or additional training. Some specifically suggested more resources and funding – easier access to diagnostic testing, increased training for teachers and more Teaching Assistant support. Many stated that the biggest blocker was a lack of funding, either for Teaching Assistant support or to facilitate smaller class sizes.
28
www.education-today.co.uk
While these things cannot be easily implemented or solved overnight, there are many examples of positive action taking place in education to support students with SEND and build more inclusive and accessible learning environments. Here are some key themes shared by teachers and experts, as well as their views on how things can go further.
• More inclusive and diverse content taught in schools
“I have autism and attend a mainstream school with 1:1 support. I love going to school. Everyone is very kind to me and understands that I sometimes do things differently.” Primary pupil
While there is still a long way to go, positive progress has been made when it comes to creating environments where all learners, including those with SEND, can feel reflected, included and that they belong.
6 in 10 teachers in the School Report believe what is taught in schools today is more inclusive and diverse than it was five years ago and 90% of schools have taken steps to support this, including:
• celebrating more diverse role models through October 2023
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44
