Category: State schools
SEND Reform: A System Under Pressure and the Implications for Families
Support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) has become one of the most pressing challenges within the UK education system. Long criticised for being inconsistent, underfunded, and difficult to navigate, the system is now the focus of ongoing reform efforts aimed at improving both access and outcomes. Read more
One Country, Three Systems: The Growing Fragmentation of UK Education
For many families—and employers—the UK education system has long been viewed as broadly consistent, with regional nuances but a shared foundation. That assumption is becoming increasingly outdated. Across England, Scotland, and Wales, education policy is diverging at pace, creating three distinct systems with different structures, philosophies, and outcomes. Scotland, Wales Read more
School Admissions, Fairness & the Reality of “Hidden Selectivity”
The idea that state school admissions in England are fair, transparent, and accessible to all has long been a cornerstone of the system. But increasingly, that assumption is being questioned. Beneath the surface of published criteria and official policies, a more complex picture is emerging—one shaped by what many are Read more
Why So Much of New Education Funding Is Being Spent on SEN — And What It Means for UK Schools
Recent analysis of education funding trends in England shows that over half of the increase in school funding over the past decade has gone towards supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN) - reshaping how budgets are allocated and how schools plan for the future. Funding for SEN needs has grown sharply due to Read more
Sharp pupil decline forecast for London state schools
Demand for state school places in London is falling fast, reshaping the admissions landscape for relocating families. Forecasts across all 32 boroughs show a 4% drop in Year 7 places and a 2% fall in reception places between 2025/26 and 2029/30, with Inner London seeing the steepest decline. For the Read more
Record Rise in School Absence Fines: What the New Data Tells Us
New data from the Department for Education reveals a sharp increase in fines issued to parents after their children missed school without permission during the 2024–25 academic year. According to the figures, 459,000 penalty notices were handed out for unauthorised absences — up around 4 % on the previous year Read more
Big proposed changes to SEN rules in England
A central and controversial idea being discussed is to limit legal rights to Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) so that only children with severe or very complex needs are entitled to them. Children with moderate needs (e.g., less severe autism, ADHD or mental health-related difficulties) might lose legal rights Read more