13 Oct 2023
A massive demonstration of parents outside St Albans Museum + Gallery called for improved funding for children with Special Education Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
Today’s protest was organised by SEND Reform England, a group set up to fight for more specialist schools and school places, more SEND funding in mainstream schools, easier and quicker access to diagnostic services and support, and a dedicated government SEND minister.
MP Daisy Cooper joined the demonstrators, a camera crew from ITV was in attendance, and the St Albans Times was on the scene to talk to SEND parents from across the district and find out why they were there.
Angelina Townsend said: “I feel that more needs to be done to bring equality to the educational system. There is a lack of communication and knowledge about SEND, and not all teachers are aware of pupils’ specific needs. I want my daughter to have the same opportunities as everyone else does – to thrive not just survive.”
Katie Kennealy has a nine-year-old son with autism, ADHD and dyslexia: “I want to see more SEND schools and the funding to help mainstream schools meet the needs of SEND pupils.”
Lisa Pratt’s daughter is also nine and has autism. Lisa has been fighting for five years to get her the support she needs. “She’s had no education for three years. I tried two local schools without success as she masks in school so they couldn’t see anything was wrong. I’d like to see trained and qualified professionals to help us.”
Zoe Traynor was forced to give up work to become a full-time carer for her two sons, Hugh and Dexter, five and six. “It needs to be easier to get children into SEND schools. I’ve begged, screamed and cried for a place in the right setting. At the moment the journey to school is longer than the time they’re actually there, which is just two hours a day. Nobody understands or cares about us.”
In Hertfordshire, the county council this week announced plans to increase capacity to support pupils with SEND through six new Special Resource Provisions (SRPs) opening in mainstream schools across the county, including Margaret Wix in St Albans and Sauncey Wood in Harpenden.
Cllr Caroline Clapper, HCC executive member for education said: “We want all children in Hertfordshire including those with SEND to have their needs met with a range of inclusive provision available through our mainstream schools, specialist resource provision, alternative and special school provision.
“We’re committed to providing the right education in the right place at the right time, and we know there is a need to create more provision in Hertfordshire so that our children and young people with SEND can attend the most appropriate education setting, and achieve the best possible outcomes, as close to their home and community as possible.”
Daisy Cooper MP said the campaign had her full support: “Children with special education needs and disabilities are being let down time and time again by a desperately broken system. While families battle for assessments, care plans, and appropriate support, precious learning time is lost.
“The Conservative government has failed to fix this broken system and local families are left paying the price.
‘That’s why I joined parents and children from across the region, protesting for a reform of the special education needs system. Every child deserves the support they need to give them the best start in life. Every child deserves a good education.”
