By Isle of Wight Observer
Children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) on the Isle of Wight are set to benefit from a major overhaul of training and support, after the government announced a landmark national programme alongside £4 million of new local investment.
The Island has long faced challenges in SEND provision, with parents frequently raising concerns about delays, inconsistent support and a lack of specialist places. Those issues were highlighted again during two recent round-tables, held by Isle of Wight West MP, Richard Quigley, where families and educators discussed the specific pressures facing local schools.
In response, the government has unveiled what it describes as the most ambitious SEND training programme ever delivered in England. The £200 million national scheme will ensure that every teacher, nursery worker, and college tutor, receives dedicated SEND and inclusion training, addressing what parents say has been one of the biggest gaps in the system.
Mr Quigley said Island teachers had repeatedly told him they wanted to help but often felt under‑prepared. “The £4 million for new SEND places on the Island is hugely welcome,” he said, “but it must go hand‑in‑hand with better training. This announcement delivers exactly what local families have been calling for.”
The new training will focus on practical, evidence‑based approaches, including assistive technology, such as speech‑to‑text tools, and strategies to help schools build more inclusive classrooms. A new national expectation will also be written into the SEND Code of Practice, making clear that all staff in every education setting must receive SEND training, ensuring consistency across the country.
Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said the reforms aim to give every child the chance to thrive in their local school, regardless of need or postcode.
The government’s full plans for SEND reform will be set out in the forthcoming Schools White Paper.
