Responding to new figures which show the extent to which special schools are over-subscribed, Rob Williams, senior policy advisor at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“These figures reflect the complete mismatch between the needs of the growing numbers of pupils with SEND and the funding available to schools and local authorities to support them.

“This means too many children are unable to get the education they need in the right setting at the right time.

“There are simply not enough special schools for pupils who need more specialist support. Many children are therefore instead being placed in mainstream schools which may themselves be over-capacity, and may not have the staff, expertise or resources needed to offer the best possible education and support.

“Urgent government action is needed to address this worrying situation and ministers must go much further in boosting funding for SEND education.

“The plan for more special school places is welcome, but it will take some time before those new settings come into existence. In the meantime, the government must ensure that sufficient high-needs funding is put into every type of school so they can maximise the support they provide to pupils with SEND.”