EDUCATION POLICY REVIEW

SEND Families Demand Systemic Educational Reforms

Families with children who have Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND) face significant challenges within the current education system. They often struggle with issues such as reasonable adjustments, EHC Needs Assessments, and school placements. These battles can lead to unmet needs, hindered progress, and decreased engagement and self-esteem. The education system requires urgent reform to better support these families.

The Curriculum and Assessment Review aims to refresh educational methods for 5-to 19-year-olds in England, ensuring inclusivity for SEND students. Families are encouraged to participate in the call for evidence by 22nd November, sharing their experiences to shape recommendations. This is a crucial opportunity to influence changes that will help SEND pupils succeed within the education system.

EHCP EFFICIENCY

Transforming EHCP Processes: How Agilisys’ EHCP Plus Frees Up Time for SEND Support

Local authorities face increasing EHCP demand, stretching staff and impacting the support SEND children receive. Agilisys' EHCP Plus tool reduces the time associated with creating a preliminary first draft for EHCP plans, enabling SEND caseworkers to focus on impactful work with families, parents and children. Using GenAI, EHCP Plus creates the draft of an EHCPs in minutes, saving on average of 5 hours per plan. This efficiency could release over 40,000 days of professional time back into the SEND system annually, based on 2022 figures.

EHCP Plus offers a streamlined, customisable, and GDPR-compliant solution that meets statutory timelines while maintaining high-quality standards. Join the growing number of local authorities transforming their EHCP processes with Agilisys Transform's EHCP Plus.

EDUCATION POLICY

Concerns Over DfE's RISE Approach to School Improvement in England

The Department for Education (DfE) introduced the RISE approach for school improvement in England, aiming to provide universal access to resources tailored to local contexts. However, the implementation and communication strategies have been criticised for being underdeveloped and unclear, with unresolved issues around adviser conflicts, funding, and accountability.

RISE's reliance on Ofsted report cards, which lack a completed framework, further complicates its rollout. The absence of a cohesive strategy involving trusts, which have built significant capacity over the past decade, risks alienating key stakeholders. The government must balance its approach to avoid demotivating trusts, while trust leaders should focus on demonstrating their value in addressing educational challenges.

EDUCATION POLICY

Inclusive Education: Five Essential Reforms for Mainstream Schools

The push for inclusive mainstream education is urgent, aiming to fulfil families' legal rights and alleviate pressure on special schools. However, achieving this requires significant reforms. Key areas include reimagining the educational system to allow schools to make decisions that best meet pupils' needs, and developing staff expertise through dedicated training and planning time.

Sharing expertise between mainstream and specialist schools is crucial, as is proper investment in resources and infrastructure. Schools need financial support to develop inclusive practices and facilities. Research and evidence-based strategies should guide these efforts, ensuring that inclusive education becomes a reality for all.

EDUCATION RESOURCES

SEND CPD Series Wins Teach Primary Awards for Excellence

Whole School SEND and Real Group have launched the final unit in their SEND CPD series, winning two categories in the Teach Primary Awards 2024 for Best SEND Resource and Best CPD. This series addresses 20 common learning barriers and is part of the Universal SEND Services, funded by the Department for Education until 2025.

Over 18,000 courses have been completed, with 99% of participants affirming their effectiveness. Each unit, taking less than an hour, offers practical guidance for educators to support diverse learning needs. The final unit focuses on reading and comprehension, enabling practitioners to achieve Platinum certification. These resources are crucial amidst budget constraints, providing essential support for educators.