Disabled children and inclusive education campaigners marched to the headquarters of the Government’s education department demanding to be heard by an education official. The protest, which was invited inside the lobby of the Department of Education and Skills, was led by the Alliance for Inclusive Education and co-incided with a parliamentary debate on the Government’s renewed commitment to a continuum of flexible provision for disabled pupils including separate, ‘special’ schools. The march involved more than 50 protestors wearing red t-shirts inscribed with the phrase ‘Inclusion Works’. The schools minister, Lord Adonis, agreed to meet with inclusionist groups at some point in the future to discuss how to develop the Government’s inclusion. strategy.
Disability Now, December 1, 2006

Labour and Conservative politicians clashed last week over the future of special needs. It comes as both parties put forward proposals to ensure better provision for children with special needs. Schools Minister, Lord Adonis, last week announced a new test to ensure ‘special’ schools cannot be closed unless better alternatives exist. He also revealed that mandatory training of schools’ special needs co-ordinators would be piloted next year. But Conservative leader, David Cameron called for a freeze on ‘special’ school closures.
Children Now, December 6, 2006

Plans for a massive shake-up of special needs education have caused outrage among Sutton Coldfield schools and parents. The plans involve co-locating ‘special’ schools onto the same site as mainstream schools, with separate ‘special’ schools meeting the needs of a ‘very small percentage of children and young people with very complex needs’. Consultation with parents, staff and school governors is expected to start next year.
Sutton Coldfield Observer, December 8, 2006

A mother who has set up a parents’ group fighting proposals to shake-up Bexley’s special needs education says we could be ‘sleeping walking to disaster’. Cheryl Moncrieffe has the support of other parents who are opposed to some of the changes being proposed by Bexley Council. She says Bexley Parents Education Group (BexPeg) is alarmed at the plans which could see more children taught in special units at mainstream schools and places halved for children with moderate learning difficulties. Cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr. Teresa O’Neill, said that the plans would take a number of years to implement and overall would result in more specialist places, not fewer.
KM Extra, Bexley, December 8, 2006

An extra £400m will need to be spent over the next four years in Ireland to cater for pupils with special educational needs. The National Council of Special Educational Needs estimates that 18 per cent of school pupils require some level of special support. The figures are contained in an action plan for the implementation of the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act, 2004, which underpins the rights of children with special educational needs to an education.
Evening Herald Dublin, December 19, 2006

Most teachers in mainstream schools are not equipped to help children with special educational needs, the National Union of Teachers has said. Only 18 per cent. of teachers surveyed felt confident teaching those with severe learning difficulties. Schools are now required to promote disability equality.
The Times, December 22, 2006

A controversial plan to reduce dramatically the number of ‘special’ schools has been given the go-ahead by councillors. Under the plan, six special schools in North Yorkshire will merge to form three and a further two will close, taking the overall number from 11 to seven. The change is designed to allow the right facilities to be put in place in mainstream schools. Council leaders insist no parents will be forced to send their children to mainstream schools and there will be enough places in special schools for those who need them.
Yorkshire Post, December 26, 2006

Tens of thousands of bright children in the poorest parts of England and Wales are being let down by schools that fail to nurture their talent, a leading government adviser has warned Tony Blair. Sir Cyril Taylor, chairman of the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, said talent was being wasted and recommended a twenty-fold increase in spending on very able children to £100m. He said children who were exceptionally gifted had a special educational need and deserved extra support in the same way as those with learning and physical difficulties. ‘Every child is different. There should be equal opportunities for all, not a lowest common denominator approach.’
The Observer, December 31, 2006