SEND in the Spotlight

Specialist schools are to be reserved for those with the most complex needs, as the government pushes for more inclusive mainstream schools that will cater to pupils with SEND. They say they want to ensure fair admissions and better value for money, including potential fee limits for independent specialist schools. But those proposed changes are causing concern among some parents who worry their child will be left behind.
BBC Education reporter Vanessa Clarke gives us the background, and Nuala speaks to two parents who say their children have thrived in specialist schools.
John Harris is a Guardian journalist, campaigner and author of a memoir about his son James, autism, music and the SEND system called Maybe I'm Amazed.
Chamika is a lawyer and mum to a 10 year old daughter who quadriplegic, has cerebral palsy, is non-verbal and a wheelchair user.
Nic Crossley runs the Liberty Academy Trust of specialist autism schools. She is neurodivergent and has a child with SEND. She gives Nuala her response to the reforms.
And in the spotlight this week is 17 year old Maddie from Kent who recently gained her Level 1 British Sign Language qualification.
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson
Digital producer: Mahima Abedin
Editor: Karen Dalziel
Produced by BBC Audio

An in depth look at the 'H' in EHCPs. That is the health part of Education Health and Care Plans, as they stand now.
We hear from mum Becci, about what her day looks like before she even gets her child out of the front door, and what happens to meet his medical needs in school.
We have news about a new parliamentary session which will be looking into exactly this, and we will be talking about a separate inquiry by MPs into the mental health of children and young people.
SEND parent and broadcaster Carrie Grant joins us, along with education reporter Kate McGough, and Jen Craft, Labour MP and member of the Health Select Committee.
In the spotlight this week is 5 year old Sanchéz, whose love of trains led to an exciting opportunity with Transport for London.
Please note, this episode was recorded before the Schools White Paper and SEND reforms in England were published.
To contact the programme email [email protected]
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson
Digital producer: Olivia Bolton
Editor: Karen Dalziel
Produced by BBC Audio

SEND in the Spotlight in collaboration with Woman's Hour brings you a special episode on the impact of the government's SEND reforms in England.
Whether you’re a parent, a young person, a teacher or someone who works in the wider system we find out what the changes mean for you - and help you decode the new language - whether it's IB, ISP, Targeted, Targeted Plus, or SPP.
Nuala McGovern speaks to parents, teachers, charities, the School Standards Minister and the Children’s Commissioner for England. We also hear from podcast regulars Anna Maxwell Martin and Kellie Bright.
Contributors:
Georgia Gould MP, Schools Standards Minister
Marsha Martin, founder of Black SEN Mamas
Katie Ghose, CEO of Kids charity and Vice Chair of the Disabled Children's Partnership
Margaret Mulholland, Association of School and College Leaders
Kate McGough, BBC Education reporter
Eleanor Wright, solicitor at SOS!SEN
Ramandeep Kaur, SEND parent
Carrie Grant, SEND parent and broadcaster
Katie Nellist, SEND ambassador
Louise Gittins, chair of the Local Government Association
Dame Rachel de Souza, Children's Commissioner for England
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Producer: Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson
Digital producer: Olivia Bolton
Editor: Karen Dalziel

SEND reforms special episode coming soon!

Today's leaks about upcoming SEND reforms in England in the Times newspaper have made headlines.
Full details will be laid out in a white paper next week, which we will cover in depth in a future episode.
In this bonus episode we discuss the suggestion that the legal right to special needs support will be compulsorily reviewed when children move from primary to secondary school.
Nuala hears views from Labour MP and SEND parent Jen Craft, actor Kellie Bright, plus parent campaigners Kirsti Hadley and Rachel Filmer.
Email the podcast - [email protected]
Presenter: Nuala McGovern
Produced by Sarah Crawley, with Carolyn Atkinson
Digital producer: Olivia Bolton
Editor: Karen Dalziel
Produced by BBC Audio