There are an estimated 1.7 million children and young people in England who have some form of SEND – and the numbers are growing year-on-year.
However, schools face a range of challenges when it comes to meeting the needs of these often vulnerable students, not least challenges relating to funding, a lack of specialist support, long waiting lists for external services, increasingly complex SEND and more.
Our roundtable event took place in September 2025 and brought together educational professionals for an in-depth discussion of the challenges faced by the SEND system and the potential solutions that mainstream schools might consider when leading SEND, upskilling their teaching staff, and supporting their students with SEND.
Around the table were experts and experienced SEND professionals from both mainstream schools and the special and alternative provision sector. Our three-hour discussion touched upon a range of issues and offered many practical ideas and insights into best practice approaches from the schools around the table.
We have written up our conclusions in this free 8-page pdf download (click the link above). Among the themes the discussion touched upon were:
- How to boost teacher expertise via CPD and wider support
- Supporting the role of the SENCO, including staff wellbeing
- Filling the gaps left by external services and long waiting lists
- Quick wins in improving the physical learning environment for SEND students
- Other ideas and examples of good practice
The roundtable was planned and hosted by SecEd, Headteacher Update, and The SEND Network in partnership with TG Escapes.