Staggeringly, 58% of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) are forced out of school because their needs are unmet. This startling figure highlights a growing crisis in the UK’s education system, as revealed by recent research from an ITV News investigation.

Jonno Wood, Alternative Learning Manager at Bath Rugby Foundation, sheds light on this troubling issue. “We recently learnt from ITV that nearly 60% of Special Educational Needs students are having to take time out of school because their needs are not being met. And what’s worse is that a lot of those families are having to fight their local authority to even get the educational need recognised.”

The ITV News investigation uncovers the dire reality faced by many SEND families across the country. It reveals that not only are these children being excluded from education due to unmet needs, but their families are also battling bureaucratic hurdles to secure the necessary support. This situation underscores a systemic failure in prioritising the well-being and educational rights of vulnerable children.

Jonno points out a critical flaw in the current education system: “It's an example of how we are so focused on exam results as a country that we are letting down our most vulnerable in education.” This exam-centric approach neglects the individual requirements of SEND students, leading to their exclusion and long-term educational disadvantages.

For over 20 years, Bath Rugby Foundation has been dedicated to addressing this problem through a multifaceted approach. Their strategy involves three key steps:

Ensuring Attendance:
The first priority is getting students to attend the Alternative Learning Hub. This involves overcoming various obstacles that prevent regular school attendance.

Identifying Necessary Skills:
Recognising and developing the specific skills each individual needs to access education is crucial. This personalised approach ensures that the unique needs of each student are met.

Focusing on Qualifications:
~By emphasising the importance of qualifications, Bath Rugby Foundation helps students achieve tangible outcomes. This focus not only facilitates educational progress but also boosts the students' confidence and future prospects.

The impact of these efforts is profound. Bath Rugby Foundation consistently helps students who have been out of the house for extended periods, sometimes up to 12 months, reintegrate into the classroom. By providing tailored support and a nurturing environment, the Foundation enables these students to gain qualifications and transition to meaningful next steps in their educational journeys.

The work of Bath Rugby Foundation exemplifies a successful model of supporting SEND students, highlighting the urgent need for systemic change in the broader education system. Addressing the unmet needs of SEND children should be a national priority, ensuring that every child has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their individual challenges.

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To work with us to bridge the gap, email: [email protected]

To find out more about the work we do to help our SEND students at our Alternative Learning Hub, visit our website.