News

Keep up to date with all of the latest news, headlines and features from across the SEND sector.

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News listing

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More than 240,000 pupils with SEND to benefit from inclusive sport programme

May 2025

Hundreds of thousands of pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are set to benefit from a national programme to improve access to PE and school sports.

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Government urges schools, colleges and ITPs to plan now for updated Gatsby Benchmarks

May 2025

Last week, the Department for Education (DfE) published updated guidance for schools, colleges and ITPs on careers education, structured around the refreshed Gatsby Benchmarks.

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Online SEND CPD Units - help us spread the word and win*!

*read on for T&Cs

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Don’t delay, apply today! Funding opportunity for mainstream schools and colleges

May 2025

The Sheila Coates Foundation (SCF) has opened its rapid impact fund for mainstream schools and colleges to apply for funding to support autistic students to excel and achieve, flourish and succeed.

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School Accountability Reform: a nasen response

April 2025

This call for evidence has been running alongside Ofsted's consultation on proposed changes to the inspection of educational settings. It considers accountability principles, school profiles and interventions. Read nasen's response.

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Improving the way Ofsted inspects education: a nasen response

April 2025
Ofsted's proposed changes to the inspection of educational settings represent a significant shift in how quality and performance are assessed across early years, schools, further education, and teacher training. Read on for nasen's perspective.

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New report aims to find solutions to the school engagement crisis

March 2025

A major new report from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and The Difference, sets out a plan to end the rapid rise in absence, exclusions and the special educational needs ‘crisis’.

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Free e-learning course on Sensory Processing

March 2025

The RISE (Research and Improvement for SEND Excellence) Programme, a contract funded by the Department for Education (DfE), has developed a new e-learning course entitled ‘Sensory Processing: What it is and why it matters’.

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Blind and Partially Sighted Student Voices Recruitment for Thomas Pocklington Trust

March 2025

The Thomas Pocklington Trust (TPT) are currently recruiting for blind and partially sighted students aged 16 and over but still involved in education to join their Student Voices forum.

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Survey - Inclusive practice in post-16 settings

April 2025

As Strategic Reform Partner to the Department for Education (DfE), the Council for Disabled Children (CDC) are gathering evidence on how post-16 settings are making their settings more inclusive and meeting the needs of of young people.

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Bitesize learning modules to support TAs to deliver inclusive PE

March 2025

An online course to support Teaching Assistants in school sports has been released on the Activity Alliance Learning Hub and made free as part of the Inclusion 2024 programme.

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Free Inclusive Tennis Course

March 2025

The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is offering its free LTA Youth Schools Teacher Training Course, designed to help teachers deliver high-quality, inclusive PE lessons with confidence.

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Report highlights the impact of lost learning

March 2025

A new report, “Who is Losing Learning?” by IPPR and The Difference, reveals the growing scale of school exclusions in England, calling for urgent action from SENCOs and school leaders.

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What Works in SEND: Free National Learning Event

March 2025

On Thursday 20 March 2025, the What Works in SEND (WWiS) Programme will run a National learning Event.

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Ofqual request to work with SEND settings

March 2025

To support Ofqual’s work as the qualifications regulator, they regularly visit colleges, schools, and training providers to hear directly from students and staff, gathering valuable feedback and insights.

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Free Workshops for D/deaf, Disabled & Neurodivergent Young People

February 2025

As part of the CDC REACH programme, the Council for Disabled Children has partnered with Real Organisation to offer free workshops designed to support young people on their journey into the workforce.

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Employment barriers for autistic people

February 2025

The Big Issue has found that a significant barrier in the recruitment processes of major UK companies is the use of personality tests, particularly for entry-level positions, which inadvertently disadvantage autistic individuals.

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Maths and English qualifications to be optional for adult apprentices

February 2025

The government has changed the requirement for businesses employing adult apprentices to require GCSE maths and English.

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New support programme for learners with VI for transition from secondary or FE

February 2025

Thomas Pocklington Trust have announced their new transitions programme to support blind and partially sighted students, and is designed to help young people navigate the challenges of their next educational transition with confidence.

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Headteacher ‘proud’ of improving children’s mental health in primary school

February 2025

Headteacher urges other schools to take wellbeing action as part of Children’s Mental Health Week