18 July 2024 weekly update

Dear Colleagues,

I write the last introduction to the bulletin at the end of an exhausting year but still full of enthusiasm because the fruits of our joint work are tangible and we are beginning to see the benefits to children, young people and families in Kent. That is such a great place to end a tough academic year, so thank you for your many and various contributions to the improvement journey.

Welcome to new Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson, who has wasted no time in announcing the government’s intention to address concerns in the education and care systems to ensure we can better meet children and young people’s needs. Phillipson has particularly highlighted her approach to SEND which is focused on earlier interventions in mainstream schools which she has rightly identified as being key for those with less complex needs. This of course reflects the KCC approach that we are working on with you and is reflected in the proposals included in the Special School Review consultation, live until the end of the month. Special schools play a really important and valued role in the Kent education landscape, but as I highlighted in previous bulletins, the primary purpose of special schools should be to educate children and young people with the highest, most complex level of need. I really don’t understand what is controversial about that principle.

In 2023-24 (draft out turn), £147.3m of the total High Needs Funding Block of £316.9 m was invested into maintained special schools in Kent, that was 46% of the budget. People have rightly raised the issue of expenditure on the independent sector which in the same year was £76.9 m (24%) and we now have a programme in place led by Kent practitioners to address this critical issue too. This level of expenditure highlights the importance that going forward it is important to have the right children and young people, in the right provision, at the right time.

I also welcome the DfE following KCC’s example in moving SEND and AP to be part of the Schools Group which will really help civil servants develop a more consistent approach to taking SEND inclusion into account as an important factor in all their decision making. The full announcement can be viewed on GOV.UK

A big welcome too to Sir Kevan Collins whom many of you will know is joining the DfE in an advisory role.

On Friday I attended the Schools Funding Forum which included a briefing on localities and funding which has been further refined through a workshop with school representatives and modelling of a localities decision-making panel by the inclusion champions and an update will be provided in the near future.

I was also absolutely delighted to visit Dartford Science and Technology College to find out more about their Community Day. I enjoyed meeting with Joanne Sangster, Principal and Mr Prout, the Chair of Governors. A huge thank you to Jonathon Dix, mastermind of the event, who drove me around to see students at work delivering STEM lessons, building raised flower beds, painting and litter picking, to name just a few of the activities they participated in.

Thank you all your amazing work this year and have a fabulous and well earned break.

Christine McInnes
Director of Education and SEN