In a concerning development for the education sector, local councils in the UK are now spending a staggering £2 billion a year to place students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in private schools.
This marks a sharp 46% increase in spending over the past four years.
The figures were revealed by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which also highlighted the increasing reliance on private institutions to meet the needs of these vulnerable students.
Why Are Councils Turning to Private Schools for SEND Students?
The main reason behind this rise in spending is a lack of capacity in the state-run education system.
Local councils are finding it difficult to accommodate students with SEND within the state sector, leading them to turn to private schools.
According to the PAC, despite efforts to expand provision, the demand for SEND education continues to outstrip available places in the public system.
As a result, more and more councils are funding placements at private schools, which come at a higher cost.
Even the Labour-run Department for Education (DfE) acknowledged the situation, admitting that private schools have a vital role in educating students with SEND.
This has sparked further debate about the state of the SEND system and the growing reliance on private providers to meet the needs of these students.
Labour’s Tax Raid and Its Potential Impact on SEND Pupils
The situation has become more complicated in recent months, with the government’s proposed tax changes adding further pressure on the private school sector.
From January, private schools will be required to charge VAT on fees, and from April, they will no longer receive business rates relief.
Critics of these changes argue that they could force some private schools catering to SEND students to close, leaving families in a difficult position.
Campaigners from the Education Not Taxation group are concerned about the impact these measures will have on the most vulnerable children.
They argue that the government’s reliance on independent schools to serve SEND students calls into question the effectiveness of Labour’s approach to reforming the education system.
The SEND System’s Struggles and Growing Costs
The PAC’s report also draws attention to the chaotic and unviable nature of the SEND system in the UK. Many families are unable to access the support they need, and children with Education, Health, and Care (EHC) plans are often left without suitable places in state schools.
The report also noted a sharp rise in the number of students placed in private schools due to the limited availability of spaces in the public sector.
In 2022-2023, local councils spent £2 billion on placements in private schools for students with EHC plans, a 46% increase from the £1.4 billion spent in 2018-2019.
The rise in spending is largely due to the growing number of students with special needs who require specialized education.
According to the National Audit Office, the number of students with EHC plans attending private schools has increased by 17,000 between 2018 and 2024.
The Role of Private Schools in SEND Education
Despite the growing costs, some officials, including Juliet Chua, Director General of the Schools Group at DfE, have stressed the importance of independent specialist schools in the SEND system.
Chua noted that independent schools play a crucial role in supporting students with specific, low-incidence needs that are difficult to address in mainstream state schools.
However, the DfE has acknowledged that the rising reliance on private schools is costly, and the department hopes to reduce its dependence on these settings in the future.
Nevertheless, it recognizes that some SEND students will always require education in specialist institutions.
Concerns Over Potential School Closures
The tax changes, which will impact private schools from next year, have raised concerns that some of the schools serving SEND students may be forced to close.
If this happens, the children currently attending these schools could be left without appropriate educational options.
Some critics warn that these students may be pushed into the overstretched state sector, where they may struggle to cope.
Others fear that some students could end up being homeschooled, further exacerbating the challenges faced by families.
Labour’s Response and Ongoing Debate
In response to concerns about the tax changes, Labour has argued that its reforms to the SEND system will not impact students because councils can claim back any additional costs caused by the new VAT charges.
However, the party has not addressed the possibility that some schools may close due to the increased financial pressures.
A government source has defended Labour’s approach, claiming that it is working to fix the “broken” SEND system left by the previous government.
The source criticized recent comments from Conservative MPs, who have accused Labour of undermining the state education sector with its reforms.
The debate over SEND funding, private schools, and tax changes is far from over, and it remains to be seen how the government will balance the needs of SEND students with the challenges facing the education system.
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