The Educator Magazine U.K. May-August 2026 issue. - Magazine - Page 14
SEND at a crossroads:
Key takeaways on policy
reform and inclusive education
At Bett UK 2026, a panel of leading voices came together to address one of the most pressing
challenges in education today: the future of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
In the session, moderated by Samantha Booth, Deputy Editor of Schools Week, panellists
explored both the immediate pressures facing schools and the long-term policy changes needed
to build a truly inclusive system.
Set against a stark backdrop, including a projected £14 billion SEND deficit by 2028, rising
demand for EHCPs, and increasing pressure on mainstream schools, the discussion focused on
practical solutions as well as system-wide reform.
