Every week, I speak to schools going above and beyond (with too few staff, too little money, and enormous stress) to do right by their children.

I also see children being pushed out of schools and into specialist provision because the school can’t (or won’t) meet their needs.

Children should attend school with their neighbours, friends, and teammates.

To make this possible, they need to have their needs met.

This can’t be the sole responsibility of schools (who have enough on their plates), but they clearly play a vital role in meeting needs.

Clearly, for some children, there is a need for specialist provision.

For the vast majority of children, they should be able to attend their local school (where their friends go, where transport is logical/affordable, where they are part of their community).

By the end of the decade:

📈 One in every 20 children will have an EHCP

📈 Special school placements will cost councils £8bn

(According to the CCN)

There’s an over-reliance on higher-cost placements/specialist provision, including private school places, according to The County Councils Network (CCN).

In 2014/15, there were 109,000 children in special schools in England.

Now, there are 194,000.

This is from a school that excels in many areas, and I understand why these things happen.

However, it ties in with the broader point I often make: we’ve moved away from humanity and connection, replacing them with systematisation and automation.

Full report… www.northwalessafeguardingboard.wales/wp-content/...

www.20splenty.org/2nd_anniver...

There's no parent-blaming here. My youngest chose to stay home and watch TV instead of walking the dog.

But I do worry. Where did all the kids go?

Would you say that's the primary driver of this increase?