More money upfront... but at what cost? NASS takes a closer look at the government's new SEND funding consultation, exploring what the proposals could mean for mainstream schools, special schools and the future of inclusion. www.linkedin.com/pulse/more-m...

More money upfront...but at what cost? Reflections on the government's new SEND funding consultation

By Mari Davis, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, National Association of Special Schools (NASS) Just as many of us were contemplating the great educational challenges of the summer holidays - ...

linkedin.com

KCSIE 2026 was published earlier this week - what do the changes mean for special schools? In this guest blog for NASS, HCR Law highlights the key changes and their practical implications for special schools. www.linkedin.com/pulse/kcsie-...

KCSIE 2026 - What special schools need to know

By Kate Shields, Senior Association in the Education Team, HCR Law On 7th July 2026, the Department for Education (DfE) released the statutory safeguarding guidance, Keeping Children Safe in Education...

linkedin.com

🗨️ The experts may be at hand – but where are they coming from? Our latest blog explores the opportunities and unanswered questions around the Government's new #ExpertsAtHand scheme, with examples of NASS member schools already leading the way. www.linkedin.com/posts/nasssc...

The experts are at hand - but where are they coming from? | National Association of Special Schools (NASS)

🗨️ The experts may be at hand - but where are they coming from? The Government's new Experts at Hand scheme has the potential to bring specialist expertise closer to mainstream settings and strengthe...

linkedin.com

Well done this year's winners! We’re especially proud to see one of our NASS members recognised - Launa Randles, Headteacher of The Children's Trust School, who won Specialist Provision School Leader of the Year 👏

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social · 2mo ago

ICYMI: Here's who scooped the prizes at this year's Tes Schools Awards...

On Weds 24th June, the charity IPSEA will be delivering a bespoke training session for special schools exploring key areas of SEND law and the latest developments affecting practice. Open to all special schools. Find out more: members.nasschools.org.uk/events/69a97...

❓ How do we create school cultures where staff want to stay? ❓ How do we manage increasing financial pressure while protecting provision? ❓ How do we better understand the distress beneath behaviour in young people with learning disabilities? Our upcoming NASS Insight sessions explore these Qs ⬇️

“The Milburn Review is both sobering and affirming… SEND is a defining feature of the NEET crisis.” Mari Davis explores what the review means for special schools and SEND reform and why specialist expertise must be recognised as part of the solution. www.linkedin.com/pulse/from-r...

From risk to reform: What the Milburn Review means for special schools and SEND policy

By Mari Davis, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer, National Association of Special Schools (NASS) The publication of the Young People and Work: Interim Report (28th May 2026), led by Alan Milbur...

linkedin.com

We’re looking forward to hearing @johnharris1969.bsky.social at NASS Connect, our free member conference on Thurs 2 July, speaking about his experiences as a SEND parent, navigating the system & what a special school has meant for his family. More info: members.nasschools.org.uk/events/6985d...

Special Needs Jungle@spcialndsjungle.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Labour doesn't seem to like SEND schools for kids like mine – but here's what we'll lose if these precious places are forgotten by John Harris www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...

In special schools, the challenge is rarely identifying progress — it’s evidencing it. In this guest blog for NASS, the team at PAGS explore how their framework is helping make “invisible” progress visible and the impact this is having in schools. www.linkedin.com/pulse/invisi...

Invisible progress - capturing what really changes for SEND learners

By Feliciea Jibson , Founder & CEO, and Josianne Pisani, Head of Training and Development, PAGS In special school settings, the most important question is rarely whether a child is making progress. St...

linkedin.com

On SNJ Today: Claims by Education Secretary Bridget Philippson that children in special schools don't have belonging, actual research from @beewelluk.bsky.social shows their self-esteem is higher than those with SEN in mainstream www.specialneedsjungle.com/research-chi...

🎉 It’s a Sight Village day…Lottie from NCW is at the Leeds event today – come and say hello! 👋 She’d love to talk to you about how we inspire, nurture and empower young people with a vision impairment. 📍 Royal Armouries, Leeds, LS10 1LT ⏰ 9:00am – 3:00pm #SightVillage

We're delighted to welcome two new trustees to the NASS Council ⭐ Hero Slinn, Chief Operations Officer at Octavia House Schools ⭐ Ethan Sumner, Co-Founder & CEO of Community Stack www.nasschools.org.uk/nass-welcome...

NASS welcomes two new trustees | NASS

SummaryHero Slinn and Ethan Sumner join NASS Council. We are delighted to welcome two new trustees to the NASS Council: Hero Slinn, Chief Operations Officer at Octavia House Schools Ethan Sumner, Co-F...

nasschools.org.uk

Returning to work after time off can be challenging 💙 Even if you love your job, we know feelings of anxiety and apprehension are common. Our helpline is available 24/7 to everyone in education across the UK on: 08000 562 561 🤗 #YouAreNotAlone #TeacherWellbeing #SupportForTeachers #TeacherLife

NEW POST: Far from Bridget Philippson's claims that children in special schools are isolated and lack belonging, research from @beewelluk.bsky.social has shown their self-esteem is higher than those with SEN in mainstream www.specialneedsjungle.com/research-chi...

Amy Carr, Head of Curriculum Design at William Henry Smith, reflects on her research amplifying young people with ADHD who feel pressured by rigid school systems. She writes about the critical value of relationships & ensuring the voice of the child is heard www.linkedin.com/pulse/square...

@johngroberts.bsky.social in yesterday’s @tesmagazine.bsky.social highlights concerns raised by NASS in our SEND reforms response around the proposed three-tier system and the proposed use of Individual Support Plans alongside EHCPs.

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Leaders in the specialist sector have voiced fears about the government’s planned SEND reforms, warning that providing funding for mainstream inclusion must not come at the expense of special schools

Today we submitted our response to the SEND Reforms consultation. Over the past 3 months, we've listened closely to our members & invited special schools beyond our membership to share their views & concerns. Thanks to all the hundreds of schools that contributed & helped shape our response

Very pleased to have contributed to this important @tesmagazine.bsky.social article with my main concerns re #SENDreform. Please share. @nasschools.bsky.social @speechandlanguk.bsky.social @naplic.bsky.social @natspec.bsky.social @patoss-dyslexia.bsky.social @acamh.bsky.social @afasic.bsky.social

Schools face ‘impossible’ SEND support package plans, experts warn

‘Bizarre’ government proposals risk lumping together pupils with vastly different needs, and stripping out mental health support, leaders tell Tes

tes.com

In this guest blog, Julie Liddell, Managing Director of Still Human, looks at how behind every leadership role is a human being navigating complexity, pressure and, at times, isolation — and how leadership can feel like holding everything together for others. www.linkedin.com/pulse/leader...

Leadership isn’t about being perfect; it’s about being real

Guest blog by Julie Liddell, Managing Director, Still Human (Part of Edwin People) Working alongside leaders in education, this truth shows up again and again. Behind the role, the responsibility, and...

linkedin.com

🗨️ From Mental Health to Social and Emotional – what difference does it make? In her new blog, Claire Dorer OBE (CEO, NASS) reflects on SEND reforms that could remove “Mental Health Needs” as a separate SEND category www.linkedin.com/posts/nasssc...

We’re delighted to share that Orchard Hill College & Academy Trust is now a member of the @nasschools.bsky.social . This milestone strengthens our ongoing commitment to championing excellence, collaboration and national advocacy across the Special Educational Needs & Disabilities.

In this guest blog, Tim Handley from Edu Intelligence explains how connected data can help special school leaders turn scattered information into clear evidence of what’s working, what’s driving progress & use it in inspections, annual reviews & provision decisions www.linkedin.com/posts/nasssc...

From small steps to clear impact: Why connected data matters in special schools | National Association of Special Schools (NASS)

In special schools, some of the most important progress happens in the smallest moments - a successful transition, a new form of communication, a step towards greater independence. Special school lea...

linkedin.com

We’re very proud to share that Claire Dorer OBE, our CEO, has been named in the 2026 Women in Trade Associations Top 100 Powerlist! trade-association-forum.euwest01.umbraco.io/community/wo...

The UK Government has announced plans to introduce statutory requirements for schools on protecting children with allergies. Next week we’ll be discussing what the proposed changes mean for schools with allergy expert Sarah Knight. members.nasschools.org.uk/events/693bd...

National Association of Special Schools

members.nasschools.org.uk

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social · 5mo ago

Schools will be required to stock allergy pens as part of new requirements aiming to save lives and reduce absence due to allergies, the government has announced

New statutory allergy guidance is coming in September & will bring significant changes to how schools manage allergies. The Allergy Team is co-producing the new guidance and, in this guest blog, explains what to expect & what special schools can start doing now. www.linkedin.com/pulse/your-s...

Is your school ready for new statutory allergy guidance in September?

By Sarah Knight, Founder, The Allergy Team The government has announced it will be publishing new statutory guidance to “transform allergy safety in schools”, taking forward the campaign for Benedict’...

linkedin.com

Lots of briefings and analysis this week for our members on Schools White Paper & SEND Consultation. We’ve also been hearing from leaders across our special school community about what these proposals could mean for their learners, families & schools👇 www.linkedin.com/posts/nasssc...

'Policy announcement by leak has created the worst of all worlds' @warrencarratt.bsky.social on how a week of SEND reform leaks have likely caused entrenchment - and indicate a worrying narrative for the path ahead. www.tes.com/magazine/ana...

‘Chaotic SEND reform leaks have caused anxiety and entrenchment’

The narrative of SEND reform is also hugely problematic, argues Warren Carratt

tes.com

The Govt is announcing this policy from a data void, with no formal evidence on costs, price or value to back its claims. In 2024, @nao.org.uk reported that while overall spend on ISS is rising, it’s due to more LA placements, not higher cost per pupil. School fees are not ‘spiralling’.

Tes magazine@tesmagazine.bsky.social · 6mo ago

There is not enough capacity in state special schools to take on pupils with SEND if a clampdown on private school fees leads to providers leaving the market, the government is being warned

Government has announced plans to move EHCP funding from individual to band-based as part of future SEND Reforms. In announcing the change it has chosen to focus attention on independent special schools. That framing deflects from the reality that this will affect all special schools. Read more ⬇️

Quorn Hall School was a 2025 NASS Award finalist for its innovative use of the HoNOSCA mental health framework to deepen understanding of pupil needs & transform whole-school practice ⬇️ www.linkedin.com/posts/nasssc...

The impact of the HoNOSCA Framework | National Association of Special Schools (NASS)

Quorn Hall School, an independent special school in Leicestershire, was a 2025 NASS Award finalist in the Innovation category for its pioneering use of the HoNOSCA mental health framework to deepen understanding of pupil needs and transform whole-school practice. The school caters for children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, many of whom have additional special educational needs and diagnoses such as autism and ADHD. By moving from observing behaviours to clinically informed insight, the school has created meaningful change that is improving wellbeing, learning and belonging for every student. In this guest blog, Anna Fitzpatrick shares her reflections on how the HoNOSCA framework is changing lives, and how a therapeutic, evidence-led approach is helping students truly thrive. #Innovation #NASSAwards2025 Cavendish Education Group

linkedin.com