Press Release

'Conservative MP's proposals for SEN not practical, appropriate or enforceable' says NASUWT

15 May 2009

Commenting on calls from Conservative MP John Bercow for improved training for teachers in working with pupils with special educational needs (SEN), Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, the largest teachers' union in the UK, said:

"The NASUWT has been calling for some time for greater support and training for teachers in meeting the needs of students with SEN. However, proposals to place a duty on local authorities to ensure all teachers have the kind of skills and knowledge sought by the MP would not be practical or enforceable.

"The recently revised performance management system provides the opportunity to ensure that all teachers get access to the development and support they need to enhance their knowledge and skills on SEN. This should be the system through which improved teacher training is developed.

"The proposals to introduce a duty on Ofsted to inspect SEN provision would be unworkable under the current data-driven arrangements for inspection.

"Introducing a system to prevent any child with SEN being permanently excluded until an assessment of whether appropriate provision has been made for their needs would be disastrous for schools, teachers and other pupils.

"While the high exclusion rate for pupils with SEN is an issue that needs to be addressed, exclusion should be based on an objective assessment of the circumstances of each case. If a pupil commits a serious act that means that the health, safety, welfare of staff and other pupils is put at serious risk, and the educational progress of the majority of pupils is being compromised, allowing that pupil to remain in school while these various assessments are carried out is not in anyone's interests. Restricting the ability of schools to exclude pupils when such a decision is justified by the facts of the case is not the answer."

"What is required is the establishment for a national framework of SEN provision with minimum universal entitlements to help and support."