The Children and Young People Policy Development Committee met to discuss the impact of falling school rolls and the upcoming government white paper on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Key discussions included strategies to manage declining student numbers, the potential for school closures or amalgamations, and the implications of national SEND reforms for local provision.

Falling School Rolls and Their Impact

The committee received a presentation detailing the significant issue of falling school rolls across London, including Redbridge. This trend is projected to continue, leading to a substantial number of vacant school places in both primary and secondary schools by 2032. The funding for schools is allocated per child, meaning that a decrease in student numbers directly impacts school budgets. For instance, a primary school with seven vacancies per year group could face a deficit of £225,000 annually.

Councillors raised concerns about the geographical distribution of these falling rolls, noting that while some areas face overcapacity, others, such as the north of Ilford, continue to experience high demand for school places. Councillor Alex Holmes highlighted that his constituents often face long journeys to secure school places due to a historical lack of provision in their local area. The council is actively working to address these issues by reducing published admission numbers (PANs) in schools with surplus places. However, it was acknowledged that these measures may not be sufficient, and a longer-term strategy for school place planning is required. The impact of planned housing developments on future school place demand was also a key consideration.

The potential consequences of falling rolls, such as school closures and amalgamations, were discussed, with concerns raised about the impact on working parents, childcare arrangements, and the increased travel times for children.

Government White Paper on SEND Reforms

The committee was briefed on the forthcoming government white paper on SEND, which is expected to outline significant reforms. The proposed changes aim to prioritise early support for children with SEND, with a greater focus on mainstream provision rather than specialist settings. Key principles include:

• Inclusive Education: A commitment to early support and integrating children with SEND into mainstream schools.
• Early Intervention: Identifying and addressing needs as early as possible to improve outcomes.
• Local, Tailored Solutions: Adapting resources and strategies to meet the specific needs of the local community.
• Collaboration: Enhanced partnership working between schools, local authorities, and health services.

The government has pledged £3 billion over four years to expand SEND education places nationwide, with £750 million allocated to create 10,000 new places. The white paper is expected to detail how local authorities will be required to develop plans, assess their current SEND provision maturity, and implement system changes. Stakeholder engagement, particularly with parents and carers, is a crucial element of these reforms.

Councillors expressed the importance of ensuring that these reforms translate into tangible improvements for young people with SEND in Redbridge. Concerns were raised about the practicalities of inclusivity in mainstream settings, the effectiveness of early intervention, and the need for robust consultation with parents and carers. The council is preparing for these changes by reviewing data, strengthening partnership arrangements, and proactively planning for a smooth transition once the white paper is published.

Work Programme

The committee noted its work programme for the remainder of the year. The next meeting in March will focus on SEND provision outside of mainstream settings, including site visits to special schools and an analysis of school place planning. The final meeting of the year will involve agreeing the committee's annual report on SEND, incorporating recommendations from the ongoing discussions.