Transforming Schools for Special Educational Needs Students with a Budget of £740m?
The UK Government has announced a significant investment of £740 million to improve school buildings and create Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) units across England [1]. This funding comes as a welcome relief for schools and parents who have been in need of investment for many years [2].
The new funding will be used to create additional places and adapt school buildings to better accommodate SEND pupils. However, the effectiveness of this investment depends on how well it addresses the diverse and individual needs of these students, as well as the existing pressures on the SEND system [1].
One of the challenges impacting the effectiveness of this funding is the rising demand for specialized places and support. Since 2018, the number of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) has increased by 71% [2]. Many local authorities face financial sustainability issues related to SEND provision, with some councils at risk of insolvency due to growing costs [2].
The funding is part of wider packages, including a £1 billion allocation for SEND overall and £760 million for SEND system reforms announced in the 2025 Spending Review [1]. There is also an emerging policy trend to increase SEND units within mainstream schools, potentially replacing individual care plans for some pupils [2].
Despite the challenges, the £740 million funding will help expand capacity and improve school building adaptations for SEND pupils. However, the funding alone is unlikely to fully address the breadth of SEND requirements [1][2]. The impact of this investment will depend on the integration with broader system reforms, targeted use to meet individual needs, and how local authorities manage increasing demand and financial pressures.
The new funding represents less than £500 per pupil with SEND, making it a notable expansion but one that may still fall short of meeting all demand [3]. With over 1.6 million pupils in England with SEND, which is almost 1 in 5 pupils, the need for accessible school buildings is critical [4].
A recent report by the Times Educational Supplement (TES) states that there are many schools in England in desperate need of work to make them accessible for children with SEND [5]. The Headteacher of Brighouse High School in West Yorkshire highlighted the need for this change, stating that the school recently spent £10,000 on building adaptations, but the school lift remains broken and would cost about £250,000 to fix [6]. One wheelchair-using pupil at Brighouse High School has to go outside and through car parks to reach some classrooms due to the broken lift [6].
The UK Government aims to have more SEND pupils remain in mainstream education [7]. The government's Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, has stated that reforms are needed in the SEND system, including enabling SEND pupils to attend a school nearer to where they live [8].
The potential impact of the £740m funding on SEND pupils has been discussed by Mark Arnold, Director of Additional Needs Ministry at Urban Saints [9]. The BBC has also reported on the need for change, with a recent report titled 'Special Educational Needs System 'Has Burst' highlighting the urgent need for investment [10].
The article was re-published with permission in Evangelical Focus and The Additional Needs Blogfather.
In conclusion, while the £740 million funding will help expand capacity and improve school building adaptations for SEND pupils, its effectiveness will depend on the integration with broader system reforms, targeted use to meet individual needs, and how local authorities manage increasing demand and financial pressures. The funding alone is unlikely to fully address the breadth of SEND requirements, but it is a critical component of ongoing efforts to improve SEND provision in England.
References: 1. Government announces £740m for schools to adapt buildings for SEND pupils 2. SEND funding: What's the reality for schools? 3. £740m for SEND schools: What it means 4. SEND funding: The need for accessible schools 5. Many schools in England in desperate need of work to make them accessible for children with SEND 6. Broken lift leaves disabled pupils at Brighouse High School struggling to access classrooms 7. Government aims to have more SEND pupils remain in mainstream education 8. Reforms needed in SEND system, Bridget Phillipson says 9. Mark Arnold: Potential impact of £740m SEND funding 10. Special Educational Needs System 'Has Burst'
The £740 million funding, while a significant step, might not fully address the wide range of requirements for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Ongoing efforts towards personal growth and education-and-self-development demand a more holistic approach, considering the diverse needs of each SEND student, the increasing demand for specialized places and support, and the financial pressures on local authorities. Learning from the challenges faced by schools like Brighouse High School could guide effective use of resources and contribute to improving learning environments for all SEND pupils.
