Special needs strategy launched

More children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) will be
educated in mainstream schools and special schools will become
centres of excellence under Government plans to improve the
education of children who need extra help at school. 

Removing Barriers to Achievement, the government’s long
term strategy for children with SEN, includes plans to ensure
children struggling at school will be identified and supported at
the earliest opportunity.

The report, published last week, says education will become more
responsive to children’s diverse needs.

Charles Clarke, education and skills secretary, said there was
too much variation in provision for children with SEN in different
parts of the country.

“This situation where children still face real barriers to
learning and parents lack confidence in the commitment and capacity
of our schools to meet their child’s needs cannot be allowed
to continue,” he added.

An estimated one in six children have SEN. Removing Barriers to
Achievement, calls for  closer partnerships between education,
health and social services and the voluntary sector to ensure that
children with SEN and disabilities get the services they need.

Also on the agenda is improved teacher training and more
emphasis on monitoring children’s progress.

The report is available at www.teachernet.gov.uk/docbank/index.cfm?id=5970.