The New Era of SEND – What Mainstream Schools Need to Know

The Department for Education (DfE) has recently signaled a major overhaul of the SEND system, aimed at ending the "postcode lottery" and ensuring children receive specialist support closer to home. For mainstream schools, this isn't just a policy change; it’s a fundamental shift in how classrooms and budgets will operate.

Key Changes at a Glance:

• The "Inclusion Base" Mandate: In a landmark move, the government now expects all secondary schools (and eventually primary schools) to provide dedicated "inclusion bases." These are safe, specially designed spaces away from busy classrooms where neurodiverse pupils and those with SEN can access targeted support without leaving the mainstream environment.

• Expansion of Specialist Places: A £3 billion investment is being rolled out to create 60,000 new specialist places. Crucially, many of these places will be located within mainstream schools, requiring staff to manage a higher level of complexity in-house.

• A Shift in Funding & Accountability: New guidance expected this spring will raise the bar for inclusivity. The government’s "Mission to Reform" aims to reduce the reliance on Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) by empowering mainstream schools to meet "common and predictable needs" earlier and more effectively.

• Focus on Estate Strategy: Schools are being encouraged to repurpose existing spaces into sensory gardens, breakout rooms, and improved acoustic environments, supported by new DfE architectural guidance.

The Challenge for School Leaders

While the vision is one of "inclusion by design," many headteachers and management teams are rightfully concerned about capacity. Moving from "segregated" to "integrated" provision requires more than just a spare classroom; it requires a cultural shift, specialised staff training, and robust internal systems.

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How The Sea View Trust Can Help Your School

Navigating these reforms doesn't have to be a solo journey. The Sea View Trust is a pioneer in inclusive education, comprising a unique blend of mainstream primary academies, special academies, and a specialist college.

The Trust is recognized nationally for its Inclusion Hub and its "What’s the Big Idea for SEND?" project in partnership with the DfE. They offer a comprehensive "Inclusion list" of services designed to help mainstream schools thrive under the new regulations:

• SEND Reviews: Widely acclaimed audits that have directly helped schools improve their Ofsted gradings by identifying gaps in provision.

• Behavior & Inclusion Hub Support: Targeted assistance for staff and pupils to manage complex needs within a mainstream setting.

• Specialist CPD: High-quality and bespoke training for teachers to build confidence in neurodiverse-friendly pedagogy.

• Strategic Growth & Partnership: As a Trust that manages both mainstream and special settings, they bridge the gap between "siloed" expertise and everyday classroom practice.

Is your school ready for the new inclusion mandates? Don't wait for the Schools White Paper to catch you off guard. Get in touch with the experts who are already delivering the "gold standard" of inclusion.

Contact The Sea View Trust today:

• Email: trustoffice@theviewtrust.org

• Website: theseaviewtrust.co.uk

• Phone: 01706 214640