Calling all school and college staff – can our education system better support pupils with SEND? Time to have your say

Raise your hand if you think the national curriculum could be improved, so that it better serves our children and young people with SEND.

Raise your hand if you think statutory assessments could be reimagined, so that they allow more pupils with SEND to have a positive experience of assessment.

Raise your hand if you think we should judge schools in ways that incentivise inclusive practice.

I’ve asked over two thousand educators to raise their hand over the past month – teachers, SENDCOs, Headteachers and support staff. Each time, there’s been barely a hand that isn’t high in the air. The appetite for change is clearly there – change that can benefit all pupils, but perhaps particularly pupils with SEND.

These changes are already afoot, through the Curriculum and Assessment review – a year-long process of getting under the skin of our current system. We are currently identifying where changes need to be for 5- to 19-year-olds, in the curriculum and in relation to assessments. 

However, in order to identify the changes that are needed and have the right impact, we need to hear the views and experiences of as many professionals as possible. 

You can share your thoughts, views and experiences through our call for evidence by completing the online survey before it closes on 22^nd November. You might like to download our easy read form (PDF), to help guide you through the online form. It features clear definitions and simplified questions so you can complete the sections most relevant to you.

The  call for evidence covers a wide range of questions:  

What needs to change about statutory assessments in order to ensure equity for pupils with protected characteristics?

How much do vocational courses give pupils the skills they need to carry on studying? Should they be taken at the same time as GCSEs? 

What changes might you make to the national curriculum?

Are there any skills or subjects that all learners need to get ready for life and work? 

Don’t feel the need to be expert in all key stages and in all areas – complete only the questions you feel able to; use your own experiences as the best possible evidence you could provide.

This work is being led by Becky Francis, with a panel alongside her that I’m privileged to be a part of. And although all of us on the panel have our own views, experiences and answers to these questions, it’s insights from stakeholders across the country that will provide the richest possible feedback to inform the Review. 

It’s insights from children and young people in our education system and their parents, organisations working in the sector and staff working in schools and colleges every day, that will indicate the direction of travel that is needed.

For all pupils, but particularly pupils with SEND

This Review is considering how the education system works for all pupils. And my own belief is that change can benefit all pupils. For me, however, it carries particular pertinence for many pupils with SEND.

How many children and young people with SEND in our education system are thriving in spite of some elements of that system, rather than because of it? 

How many children and young people with SEND aren’t thriving at all within our education system, for reasons that directly/indirectly relate to curriculum, assessment and accountability measures?

If you also believe that change is needed, I ask you kindly to take some time to fill in the  call for evidence, and to promote the  call for evidence to your communities, your colleagues, parents and the young people you support. 

The Education Hub – What is the Curriculum and Assessment Review and how will it impact my child’s education? Is an excellent explainer that can easily be promoted through your regular communication to parents. 

Any and all contributions to and promotions of the call for evidence will help the panel truly understand what is working well, where improvements are needed and what new approaches might be possible.

Please don’t miss your opportunity to contribute to this important opportunity for change.

Gary Aubin is part of the panel of the Curriculum and Assessment Review panel. He leads Whole Education’s MAT SEND Leadership programme, is an independent SEND Consultant and wrote The Lone SENDCO.