Ofsted says special educational needs ‘biggest issue’ for schools

Particular academic wants and disabilities (Ship) is the “greatest situation” affecting faculties in England, Ofsted’s chief inspector has mentioned.

Sir Martyn Oliver informed the schooling committee that the Ship system’s excessive prices and poor outcomes represented a “lose-lose state of affairs”.

Authorities figures for the 2023/24 tutorial 12 months confirmed greater than 1.6 million kids had Ship, a rise of 101,000 from 2023.

Sir Martyn mentioned the inspectorate had an obligation to help the federal government in its plans to offer for Ship kids.

In December, the Division for Schooling (DfE) announced £740m of funding to extend the variety of locations obtainable for Ship pupils in mainstream faculties.

“I feel we will direct faculties to be extra inclusive and reward these which might be doing the tough job,” Sir Martyn informed MPs.

He mentioned the brand new report card inspection system – to be launched in September after the scrapping of one-word judgements final 12 months – would “recognise” the work accomplished by faculties to be as inclusive as doable for the rising variety of Ship pupils in mainstream schooling.

One-word judgements had been eliminated following the demise of head instructor Ruth Perry, who took her personal life following an Ofsted inspection which downgraded her faculty to “insufficient” on account of safeguarding issues.

It was regraded as “good” quickly afterwards.

The DfE beforehand mentioned it needed to take a look at introducing an annual overview of safeguarding in faculties.

Sir Martyn informed MPs safeguarding needs to be separate from the remainder of the inspection course of as it’s “not a judgement”.

However he mentioned an annual Ofsted go to for each faculty would price £45m per 12 months.

“It is actually costly, and [with] tightening public funds I feel it is proper that we ask ourselves, ‘Is that this the very best spending of the cash?’

“In the event you mentioned to me now, ‘Do you suppose kids safeguarding in faculties is the burning bush?’ My reply can be no.

“We don’t see safeguarding as the most important situation in faculties. I might say that, by far, the wants of Ship kids is a a lot larger want.”

Ofsted additionally examine native space partnerships between faculties and native authorities to see how effectively they work collectively to enhance the experiences and outcomes of Ship kids.

Yvette Stanley, Ofsted’s nationwide director for regulation and social care, mentioned there was a have to “be a part of the dots” to keep away from conditions the place particular person faculties had been excellent however native authorities weren’t making progress.

Ofsted accomplished 38 area-wide inspections on Ship within the final 12 months, MPs had been informed, with 12 councils discovered to be failing, 16 inconsistent and 12 optimistic.

Sir Martyn mentioned space report playing cards taking a look at schooling, well being, care and management would assist root out systemic failings.