Responding to polling released today (Thursday) by the Sutton Trust that shows schools are cutting staff and support for special educational needs and disabilities (Send), UNISON head of education Mike Short said:
“Improved funding for schools from the government is welcome, but much more is needed to tackle the damage caused by years of Tory underinvestment.
“These findings highlight a worrying gap between ministers’ ambitions to reform Send and the reality in schools.
“Support staff play a vital role in helping Send pupils. The government’s plans have little chance of success if their numbers continue to be cut. Those who survive are already left with increasing workloads, high levels of stress and low pay.
“The ambitious reforms suggest ministers are committed to education and have much to recommend them. But without far more resources, they’ll struggle to achieve them.”
Notes to editors:
– More on UNISON’s response to the recent government white paper and Send reforms can be found here.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
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