Latest news with #PaulWhiteman
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
Special-needs crisis for 98 per cent of primary schools - as Heads warn Labour VAT raid on private school fees could make it worse
Almost every primary school head has said they cannot cater to all their special needs pupils, amid warnings over Labour 's VAT raid on schools. A snap poll of 750 heads in the mainstream primary state sector found 98 per cent do not have the resources to meet the needs of all their special needs pupils. In addition, four in five - 82 per cent - said they have such pupils in mainstream classes because there is no room in specialist provision. The survey, by the NAHT union, comes amid warnings Labour's VAT on private school fees may force pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) into the state sector. Many SEND families say they moved their child to private because of poor provision, but are not rich enough to cover the new 20 per cent tax. A spokesman for parent group Education Not Taxation said: 'Concerns raised by the NAHT reflects what parents across the country have seen. 'One in five children in independent schools have one or more special education needs, and many of these moved to independent schools because state schools could not meet their needs. 'Labour's education tax is forcing SEND children out of independent schools into already strained stated schools, lowering education outcomes for all.' A snap poll of 750 heads in the mainstream primary state sector found 98 per cent do not have the resources to meet the needs of all their special needs pupils (stock image) The survey, released at the NAHT's annual conference in Harrogate, found that 94 per cent of heads said meeting the needs of SEND pupils was harder than this time last year. One respondent said SEND funding in the state sector was 'diabolical' while another said the lack of provision is 'detrimental' to all pupils' education. A third said: 'Staff have to manage extremely difficult and stressful situations in class without enough support or specialist help and resources while trying to meet the needs of all the other children too.' Many of the children placed in mainstream settings have an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) specifying specialist provision but no such places are available to them. Paul Whiteman, general secretary, said: 'Too many schools have children who should be getting specialist support. 'School leaders are frustrated that they can't fully meet the needs of the pupils in their care, and we know many parents are frustrated too.' It comes after a High Court case last month revealed Labour considered exempting the 100,000 SEND pupils in private schools from its tax raid but concluded this would cost the Treasury too much. Pupils with EHCP plans are exempted, but these make up only a small proportion of the total number of those with SEND.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Many schools are dealing with consequences of toxic masculinity each day
School leaders are having to deal with the consequences of toxic masculinity and online radicalisation every day, a headteachers' union chief has said. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders' union, called for politicians, families and school staff to work together to stop a generation of boys 'disappearing into a vortex of hatred and lies'. In a speech at the union's annual conference in Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Mr Whiteman highlighted television drama Adolescence which has prompted a national conversation about misogyny and online safety. Mr Whiteman warned that technology can 'isolate and divide' and create 'dangerous spaces' for children trying to find their identity in the world. Addressing hundreds of school leaders on Friday, Mr Whiteman said: 'The critically acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence may have been a wake-up call for some, but its portrayal of toxic masculinity and online radicalisation came as no surprise to our members, many of whom have to deal with the consequences of these issues every day. 'Tackling those dangers takes real leadership from politicians, from families, from teachers and from school leaders too. 'Because if we're serious about stopping a generation disappearing into a vortex of hatred and lies, then we must work together to show them that decency, selflessness, kindness and honesty, show them that can offer the fulfilment and reassurance they're searching for.' In his speech, Mr Whiteman also reiterated calls for Ofsted to scrap its proposed changes for inspections. Schools in England could be graded across eight to 10 areas of a provision using a colour-coded five-point scale under Ofsted's plans. They would receive ratings, from the red-coloured 'causing concern' to orange-coloured 'attention needed', through the green shades of 'secure', 'strong' and 'exemplary' for each area of practice. The Government announced last year that headline Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness for schools in England would be scrapped. Previously, Ofsted awarded one of four single-phrase inspection judgments: outstanding, good, requires improvement and inadequate. The move came after Ofsted faced criticism following the death of headteacher Ruth Perry. Mrs Perry took her own life in January 2023 after an Ofsted report downgraded her Caversham Primary School in Reading from the highest to the lowest overall effectiveness rating over safeguarding concerns. In his speech, Mr Whiteman said: 'Our own advice line has taken numerous calls over the years from distressed members— some feeling suicidal —because of this ineffective and needlessly punitive system. 'Following Ruth's death, we were promised change. 'What we've been offered, if you scratch beneath the surface, is more of the same – another crude grading system to hang over the heads of leaders.' Addressing school leaders from across the country, the NAHT chief said: 'The idea that Ofsted's model is the only way to assess schools is utter nonsense. 'Our colleagues in Wales and Northern Ireland will be the first to admit their systems aren't perfect, but the fact they offer something broader and more nuanced than a crude traffic light system proves there is more than one way.' Earlier this week, Julia Waters, Mrs Perry's sister, joined education professionals in an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in asking for delays to the plans which she said were 'rushed'. On Saturday, NAHT conference delegates will debate a motion which calls for the introduction of Ofsted report cards to be opposed. It suggests that 'legal and industrial options' should be explored fully to protect the mental and physical health of school leaders and staff.
The Independent
02-05-2025
- General
- The Independent
Most schools have Send pupils in mainstream classes amid capacity issues
Around four in five school leaders have pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send) in mainstream classes because of a lack of specialist places available, a survey suggests. The majority (94%) of school leaders in mainstream settings said meeting the needs of all their Send pupils is harder than last year, according to the snap poll by school leaders' union NAHT. Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT, said there is no higher priority now in the education sector than fixing the 'Send crisis'. He added that many school leaders and parents are 'frustrated' that schools currently cannot fully meet the needs of the Send pupils in their care. The findings were published during the NAHT's annual conference in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The poll of 873 NAHT members in England, Wales and Northern Ireland found that 82% said they have pupils where specialist provision has been agreed in their education, health and care plan, but they are in mainstream classes because there are no specialist places available. The survey, which ran between April 23 and 28, suggests 98% of leaders from mainstream settings said they do not have the resources to meet the needs of all their pupils with Send. The poll, of senior leaders in both mainstream and specialist schools, also received anonymous comments that highlighted the concerns about Send. One school leader said: 'We're a small school and we're stretched to breaking point. 'The number of children coming in to nursery and reception with Send issues has doubled over the last three years.' Another school leader said: 'Staff have to manage extremely difficult and stressful situations in class without enough support or specialist help and resources while trying to meet the needs of all the other children too.' Mr Whiteman said: 'School leaders are passionate about ensuring every child's needs are met. 'However, the needs of many pupils are becoming more complex, and the funding and resources are simply not there to meet that growing need. 'Our members are telling us that it is one of, if not the biggest issue in their schools. 'There is no higher priority now in education than fixing the Send crisis. 'Right now, too many schools have children who should be getting specialist support who are being let down by the lack of capacity and availability of places in the specialist sector. ' Schools are desperately trying to do their best for those pupils, but without access to the specialist help they need their hands are tied. 'We also know that many special schools are struggling to meet the demand on them for places and are massively oversubscribed. 'No-one who works in schools wants to ever feel like they are failing a child, but right now too many school leaders are frustrated that they can't fully meet the needs of the pupils in their care, and we know many parents are frustrated too.' Conference delegates will be debating a variety of motions over the weekend calling for more funding, training and support for educating Send pupils. A motion – which is due to be debated on Saturday – suggests an 'increasing number' of children whose needs would arguably be best met in a special school are being taught in mainstream schools. It calls on the NAHT's executive to urge the Government to commission a study to identify the number of children taught in a mainstream school who actually require a place in a special school. In March, Department for Education (DfE) figures suggested that around 8,000 more secondary school pupils were on roll in special schools in England than the reported capacity last year and around two in three special schools were 'at or over capacity' in the last academic year. The proportion of pupils with an education, health and care plan – which sets out the provision of Send support needed – that will need a place in specialist provision in England is 'forecast to increase' in the years to come, according to the Government publication. The Government, which has earmarked £740 million to increase places for Send pupils, is encouraging more provision for children with Send within mainstream schools and for classrooms to be adapted to be more inclusive. Mr Whiteman said: 'We are not opposed to the Government wanting mainstream schools to be inclusive, and school leaders take this duty really seriously. 'But they need more funding, resources and specialist staffing to be able to support their students appropriately and effectively.' DfE spokeswoman said: 'The evidence is clear that this Government inherited a Send system left on its knees – with too many children not having their needs met and parents forced to fight for support. 'It will take time, but as part of our Plan for Change, we are thinking differently about what the Send system should look like, to restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for so every child can achieve and thrive. 'We are already making progress by investing £1 billion into Send and £740 million to encourage councils to create more specialist places in mainstream schools, paving the way for significant, long-term reform.'
The Guardian
02-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
Headteachers in England, Wales and NI say Send provision crisis is worsening
The crisis in special needs education appears to be worsening, with nine out of 10 school leaders finding it harder to meet pupils' needs than they did a year ago, according to a survey. 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). One school leader who took part in the research described levels of Send funding as 'diabolical', while another said demand was continuing to mount, with Send pupil numbers doubling in nursery and reception in the last three years. Four in five (82%) mainstream school leaders said they were struggling to support pupils who needed specialist provision that had been agreed in their education, health and care plan (EHCP) but was not available. The NAHT general secretary, Paul Whiteman, said pupils' needs were becoming more complex. 'Right now, too many schools have children who should be getting specialist support who are being let down by the lack of capacity and availability of places in the specialist sector. 'Schools are desperately trying to do their best for those pupils, but without access to the specialist help they need, their hands are tied. We also know that many special schools are struggling to meet the demand on them for places and are massively oversubscribed.' The government is due to publish its plans to transform the Send system in Englandin a white paper, which is expected to prioritise inclusion and better support in mainstream state schools, with the aim of cutting council spending on costly private provision. Guardian analysis earlier this year revealed that many English councils had built up debts running into hundreds of millions of pounds as a result of Send spending on independent special schools, pushing the councils to the brink of bankruptcy. 'We are not opposed to the government wanting mainstream schools to be inclusive, and school leaders take this duty really seriously,' Whiteman said. 'But they need more funding, resources and specialist staffing to be able to support their students appropriately and effectively. 'And this doesn't remove the fact that there will also always be a need for special school places for pupils with the greatest needs. Capacity in both mainstream and specialist schools must match need.' Delegates to the NAHT's annual general conference in Harrogate this weekend will vote on a number of motions calling for more funding, training and support for educating Send pupils. 'There is no higher priority now in education than fixing the Send crisis,' Whiteman said. The poll drew almost 900 responses from school leaders across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, in both mainstream and specialist schools, and included anonymous contributions that revealed the daily struggle faced by schools. 'We are in a deficit budget position,' one said. 'We are supporting children with significant needs and don't receive the funding we need … It is having a detrimental impact on the education of others in school.' Another said: 'We are at crisis point with the level of need and what we can actually offer the children. Staff morale is low and staff are leaving the profession.' A Department for Education spokesperson said the government had inherited a Send system on its knees and had already invested an additional £1.7bn to improve provision. They added: 'It will take time, but as part of our plan for change, we are thinking differently about what the Send system should look like, to restore the confidence of families up and down the country and deliver the improvement they are crying out for so every child can achieve and thrive.'
Daily Mirror
01-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Headteachers warn of biggest crisis facing UK schools as kids badly let down
The National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) has issued a dire warning over the SEND crisis facing schools, with a shortage of specialist teaching Four in five school leaders have pupils in mainstream classes who should have specialist teaching - but can't because there aren't enough places. A poll for the National Association of Headteachers (NAHT) found 80% of respondents said there were pupils in their school with specialist provision agreements - but forced to stay in mainstream classes. And an overwhelming majority, 94%, said meeting the needs of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities is harder than this time last year. Delegates at the unions conference in Harrogate will today demand more funding and specialist staff. Paul Whiteman, NAHT general secretary, said: "There is no higher priority now in education than fixing the SEND crisis. 'Right now, too many schools have children who should be getting specialist support who are being let down by the lack of capacity and availability of places in the specialist sector. " He added that school leaders are frustrated, stating: "Schools are desperately trying to do their best for those pupils but without access to the specialist help they need their hands are tied." In a speech to the conference, Angi Gibson, who takes over as the union's president from September, will warn school budgets are stretched "to breaking point". She is expected to say: 'Let's not pretend everything's fine. Across the UK, education is under pressure like never before. "We face a recruitment and retention crisis. Budgets are stretched to breaking point. The accountability system is broken. Mental health needs are escalating. And too many of our school buildings are quite simply not fit for purpose. 'That's why this presidency won't be about nice words or photo ops. It will be about action. Because our profession deserves better. Our staff deserve better. And our children – all of our children – deserve the very best.'
