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Spent the day at a special school in south London.
The difficulties parents are facing are significant everywhere. None more so than in special schools.
All special schools are supposed to be open for all their children. But in practice it often isn't working that way.
The difficulties parents are facing are significant everywhere. None more so than in special schools.
All special schools are supposed to be open for all their children. But in practice it often isn't working that way.
Under government rules, all children with Education, Health and Care Plans (or EHCPs) are considered vulnerable and entitled to school places full time.
But in special schools, every child has an EHCP. They're all entitled to a place.
But in special schools, every child has an EHCP. They're all entitled to a place.
Yet recent DfE figures suggested only a third of special school pupils are in attendance.
Why? Because schools simply can’t offer every child a place in a way which is safe for them or the staff.
Staff to pupil ratios are high (perhaps as many as seven or eight for a class...)
Why? Because schools simply can’t offer every child a place in a way which is safe for them or the staff.
Staff to pupil ratios are high (perhaps as many as seven or eight for a class...)
of 10 or so.
It simply can't be done safely. There isn't enough space.
Likewise some parents have to keep their child off as result of their extreme physical vulnerability.
But there's still often more demand for places than there is space. So Special School heads are....
It simply can't be done safely. There isn't enough space.
Likewise some parents have to keep their child off as result of their extreme physical vulnerability.
But there's still often more demand for places than there is space. So Special School heads are....
...often placed in a position where they have to ration places. Choose which kids get to come in and how for long based on their needs and family circs.
Those who have to stay at home some/all of the time have home schooling with their parents. Which is often v difficult.
Those who have to stay at home some/all of the time have home schooling with their parents. Which is often v difficult.
If you think it's hard to get your kid to sit down in front of zoom all day, it is nothing to the challenge for children in special schools.
It's also meant that the only respite for parents in terms of providing care has disappeared.
It's also meant that the only respite for parents in terms of providing care has disappeared.
"My son and the other kids at school can’t just be put in front of a computer, you must be with them all the time, help them hold their pencil, hold their pen- he needs help all through the night, he’s not a sleeper, he’s fed by a pump so you can’t even have a meal...
"you’re constantly watching him."
The effect on him has been significant mentally and physically- he's become less confident and has lost access to the suite of other facilities the school provides- like physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.
The effect on him has been significant mentally and physically- he's become less confident and has lost access to the suite of other facilities the school provides- like physiotherapy and speech and language therapy.
Special schools aren't just places of education but centres of essential infrastructure for disabled children- much of which is now no longer available on a daily basis. "My son was learning to be independent and that’s just come to a halt", one mother tells me.
Something some councils are turning too in order to get more kids back in the classroom is vaccination of staff. Charities want teachers and teaching assistants in specials schools to be classified as care staff and therefore eligible for a vaccine.
Lewisham Council, for example, has done this. It involves tiny numbers of staff in the grand scheme of things but could help make a bit of a difference.
Would also give staff some reassurance given that social distancing is impossible in a special school.
Would also give staff some reassurance given that social distancing is impossible in a special school.
Longer this goes on, the worse it might be. One special school teacher told me she worried that there may be permanent effects on disabled children after losing so much time: "In school they receive physiotherapy, physio assessments, assessment for their equipment..."
"If they’re at home they can’t access that and even some of the school can’t regularly. Some of the children it could have lasting effect on their physical development, bone development for years to come...."
"We might find they'll have to have more operations than they would have done had they continued to be mobile, use their equipment, access to outside space etc."
Some of the families we spoke to don't have a garden and limited physical space. They're having to...
Some of the families we spoke to don't have a garden and limited physical space. They're having to...
...educate special school and non-special school children at home. As well as work. It's an enormous challenge and many parents are left physically and mentally spent.
Full report from me and @MattQuinton to come on Newsnight very shortly. Tune in.
Full report from me and @MattQuinton to come on Newsnight very shortly. Tune in.
Struck by the response to this and how many out there are really grappling and struggling with these issues.
Please do continue to let me know what your experiences are.
In the meantime, you can watch the report from last night's NN in full here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p095xs71?at_medium=custom7&at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_campaign=64&at_custom2=twitter&at_custom3=%40BBCNewsnight&at_custom4=53E94324-6630-11EB-BA0A-1E7E4D484DA4
Please do continue to let me know what your experiences are.
In the meantime, you can watch the report from last night's NN in full here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p095xs71?at_medium=custom7&at_custom1=%5Bpost+type%5D&at_campaign=64&at_custom2=twitter&at_custom3=%40BBCNewsnight&at_custom4=53E94324-6630-11EB-BA0A-1E7E4D484DA4
More worrying stats from this report on SEND and lockdown
-30% of SEND families had limited IT access and struggled with remote learning.
-Healthcare support was not provided at all, or only to a small extent for 65% of pupils at school and 83% at home. https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Special_Education_Lockdown_ASKResearch.pdf
-30% of SEND families had limited IT access and struggled with remote learning.
-Healthcare support was not provided at all, or only to a small extent for 65% of pupils at school and 83% at home. https://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Special_Education_Lockdown_ASKResearch.pdf
-Social care and support (including respite care and home help) was either not provided at all, or only to a small extent for 57% of pupils attending school or college and 77% of pupils at home.
