Financial Strains Force Schools to Reduce SEND Support
More than 70% of schools in England have reduced the number of teaching assistants (TAs) over the past year, impacting support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), according to a recent poll. The survey highlights a financial crisis affecting schools that has been developing for over a decade.
Two-fifths of school leaders reported cuts to SEND support due to funding pressures. Specifically, 71% have decreased teaching assistant roles, while 49% have reduced other support staff. The situation is expected to worsen, with 81% of respondents anticipating further reductions in the coming year.
Government’s SEND Inclusion Plans Face Challenges
The findings from the Sutton Trust come as the government aims to enhance inclusivity in mainstream schools for pupils with SEND. Experts emphasize the crucial role teaching assistants play in supporting these pupils, warning that without adequate staffing, government ambitions may not be achievable.
Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, stated: "This research shows the contradiction which exists between the government’s aspirations for the education system and the amount of money that it is prepared to provide to realise those aspirations.
"That contradiction is perhaps most stark in the fact that many schools are having to cut resourcing for SEND support at exactly the time the government has launched a programme of major reforms which involve far more expectations on mainstream schools.
"Although the government has made some additional funding available, this is unlikely to be sufficient to support reforms on the scale envisaged or address existing funding shortages."
The government has announced a cash-terms increase of £4.7 billion by the end of the current spending review period. However, this funding must also cover expanded free school meals and teacher pay rises, limiting the amount available for SEND support.
Survey Reveals Impact Across School Types and Services
The survey, conducted by the National Foundation for Educational Research on behalf of the Sutton Trust, involved 1,105 state school teachers. It found that cuts to SEND support were more pronounced in primary schools, with 45% reporting reductions compared to 25% in secondary schools.
Additionally, three in 10 secondary school leaders reported cuts to subject choices at GCSE and A-level. Nearly half (49%) had reduced IT equipment budgets, 47% cut back on trips and outings, and 32% reduced sports and other extracurricular activities.
Concerns Over Pupil Premium Funding
Prior to a government consultation on funding for disadvantaged pupils, 86% of senior leaders expressed the view that the pupil premium—additional funding for children from low-income families—is insufficient. Despite overall increases in school funding, 43% of senior leaders reported using pupil premium funds to cover other budget shortfalls.
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, commented: "This is the uncomfortable reality that the government simply will not face up to. Schools are running on empty and are having to make cuts to essentials simply to survive. It is indefensible that government continues to underfund schools. It is impossible for schools to meet the government’s ambitions on SEND support."
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the NAHT school leaders’ union, added: "School finances remain in a perilous state. It is clear that much more investment is still needed to turn this situation around and to ensure schools are fully equipped to deliver on the government’s proposed reforms to the broken special educational needs system."
Calls for Increased Investment
Nick Harrison, chief executive of the Sutton Trust, highlighted the long-term nature of the funding crisis: "Schools are in a financial crisis that’s more than a decade and a half in the making, and we’re seeing the long-term results of those cuts today. With ambitious government reforms on the horizon, now is the time to target measures that will rebalance funding towards the pupils and schools that need it most."
Government Response
A government spokesperson said: "Despite deeply challenging choices about public spending, we have continued to prioritise education by putting record investment into our schools, so every child can achieve and thrive.
"In 2026-27 the core schools budget will total £67 billion – an increase of £1.7 billion from 2025-26 – with pupil premium funding rising to around £3.2 billion and further increases planned over the next three years. This includes significant additional investment to make our SEND reforms a reality."
