Construction News

Morgan Sindall to Deliver SEN School Projects in Brent

Morgan Sindall Construction's Northern Home Counties division has secured contracts for three special education needs (SEN) projects in Brent, UK, valued at over £6m. The projects, procured through the SCAPE framework, will expand Newman Catholic College, Preston Park Primary School, and St Margaret Clitherow RC Primary School. Newman Catholic College will receive a new two-storey structure, while the primary schools will each gain two new classrooms within a single-storey expansion.

These developments will include sensory areas and soft landscaping, such as vegetable gardens and outdoor play spaces. The construction will incorporate Morgan Sindall's Intelligent Solutions, using Structural Insulated Panels to reduce carbon emissions. A portion of the build will be completed offsite, minimising environmental impact and accelerating the timeline. Brent Council's Gwen Grahl emphasised the importance of these facilities in meeting the specific educational needs of children in Brent.

Education

Private Schools Address Special Needs Funding Crisis in England

Councils in England will allocate £2.1bn to private schools this academic year to support students with special educational needs, a 15% increase from last year. This rise reflects a growing reliance on private provision due to insufficient state funding and capacity, as highlighted by the Association of School and College Leaders.

The number of students with Education and Health Care (EHC) plans in private schools has surged, with nearly 34,000 enrolled in 2023-24. Despite increased spending, educational outcomes have not improved, prompting calls for systemic reform to incentivise mainstream schools to support more pupils with complex needs and reduce reliance on special education placements.

Education Policy

National Curriculum Review Must Include SEND Children, Urges Experts

The government's 'national conversation' on education, led by Professor Becky Francis, seeks input on the curriculum and assessment system. Parents of children with special educational needs (SEND) are encouraged to participate, though the process is complex and not easily accessible. Sharon Smith highlights the inaccessibility of the 54-question form, which lacks an Easy-Read version.

The review aims to create an inclusive curriculum, addressing the needs of SEND children and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. It seeks feedback on current systems, potential improvements, and the balance of ambition, relevance, flexibility, and inclusivity. The review will also consider broader subjects and life skills, ensuring assessments capture every child's strengths.

Education

Funding Shortfalls Hinder Effective SEND Support in Schools, Survey Reveals

Funding and Support Barriers: A significant majority of primary (95%) and secondary (84%) leaders cite inadequate funding as a major barrier to supporting pupils with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Additionally, access to external specialist support is limited, with only 24% of primary and 19% of secondary teachers able to access necessary resources consistently.

Challenges in Education: Schools face multiple challenges, including difficulties in providing mentors for trainee teachers due to high workloads and stress. Furthermore, 53% of teachers are deterred from leadership roles due to similar concerns. The use of artificial intelligence in schools has seen a notable increase, with 35% of teachers and 36% of leaders utilising AI tools for various educational purposes.

Education policy

Tories Criticised for Failing SEND Pupils, Says Shadow Minister

The previous Conservative government has been criticised for its inadequate support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Shadow education minister Gagan Mohindra expressed frustration at the Conservative Party Conference, highlighting the struggles parents face in securing proper provision for their children.

Mohindra acknowledged the shortcomings of his party, citing the global pandemic and cost-of-living crisis as factors but emphasised the need for more SEND-focused schools. The 2019 SEND review and subsequent Green Paper aimed to simplify the education, health, and care plan (EHCP) process, but implementation has been slow. The 2023 SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan seeks to address these issues.