Education system is failing pupils with special needs, says Wolverhampton MP
An MP said schools were failing children with special needs and disabilities, as he began his consultation with parents that will form part of a government review.
Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West, met with parents across his constituency to discuss the changes needed to the system of support for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Warinder Juss, Labour MP for Wolverhampton West, said that in 2023 only one in five pupils with special needs were meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at the end of primary school.
He said the Government was now making more money available for pupils with specialist needs, and had been meeting with parents to gauge their views on how the system could be improved.
He encouraged parents to have their say on how more pupils will be able to have their needs met in mainstream schools.
He said this conversation will feed into government plans to modernise the education system, so that every school was able to meet children’s needs.
Mr Juss said the Government had made £740 million available last year to adapt classrooms and create specialist facilities within mainstream schools to help them provide more intensive support, adapted to suit pupils’ needs.
As well as funding, Mr Juss said the Government had created a new 'Neurodivergence Task and Finish Group' to bring together charities, campaigners, experts and academics to drive support for neurodivergent children in mainstream education and spread understanding of good practice.
“I know from speaking to parents, carers and schools across my constituency that support for children with special educational needs and disabilities is a top priority," he said.
"It was wonderful to meet with a range of stakeholders, including parents, to hear how we can get our vision of inclusive education right.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Children have been let down for far too long by a system that is in crisis.
“My commitment to reform is steadfast. Inclusion should be at the heart of everything we do so that every child, no matter their background, can achieve and thrive.
“I’m delighted that teachers and parents alike are putting their fingerprints on our plans for reform so that we can break down the barriers to opportunity for all children.”
