Special Needs Crisis Getting Worse, Says Teachers' Poll

The crisis in special needs education appears to be worsening, with nine out of 10 school leaders finding it harder to meet pupils' needs than a year ago, according to a survey.

- Sally Weale

Almost all (98%) of the respondents to a National Association of Head Teachers' (NAHT) poll covering England, Wales and Northern Ireland said they did not have the resources to meet the needs of all their pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

One school leader who took part in the research described levels of Send funding as "diabolical", while another said demand was continuing to mount, with Send pupil numbers doubling in nursery and reception in the last three years.

Four in five (82%) mainstream school leaders said they were struggling to support pupils who needed specialist provision, agreed in their education, health and care plan (EHCP), which was not available.