5 May 2026
Dear Parents and Carers,
You may have heard about proposed national changes to how schools support children with additional needs. We have outlined what these changes are, how they will impact schools and students and when these proposals may be put into action.
These reforms are set out in the government’s recent SEND and Alternative Provision (AP) reform proposals and are being consulted on and developed gradually over the coming years. They are designed to improve support for children with additional needs and strengthen inclusive practice across all schools.
What are these changes about?
The aim is to create a system where:
- Support is available earlier
- Schools are better equipped to meet a wider range of needs
- Families experience a more consistent and joined‑up approach
At the heart of this is a focus on making schools more inclusive, so that as many children as possible can thrive in their everyday learning environment.
What does this mean for children in school?
For most children, this is intended to mean:
- Needs are identified and supported more quickly
- Teachers are even better trained to adapt learning to meet different needs
- Extra help can be put in place earlier, with the aim of reducing long waiting times
The ultimate aim of the reforms is that all children benefit from a school system that is designed to be more responsive, flexible and inclusive.
What about children with higher levels of need?
Children who need more specialist support will continue to receive it.
There will still be clear plans and access to additional services where needed, including specialist provision. The reforms place a stronger emphasis on ensuring that support starts as early as possible, while recognising that some children will always need a higher level of specialist support.
What does this mean for our school?
These proposals build on what we already aim to do every day:
- Create an environment where all students feel supported
- Adapt teaching so that all learners can succeed
- Work closely with families to understand and meet children’s needs
As a school, we will continue to focus on inclusive practice and working in partnership with parents.
When will this happen?
The proposed reforms will be introduced gradually over several years.
There will be no sudden changes, and existing support and legal rights remain in place while the new approach is consulted on and developed. Nothing in these proposals changes current SEND law at this time.
If you would like to find out more about these proposals, the link attached has additional information: Schools white paper: What parents need to know about changes to the SEND system – The Education Hub
Thank you, as always, for your continued support.
Yours sincerely,
Mrs Hillier
Assistant Principal, SENCO
