Lost in the system: Vulnerable children in the UK drop out for two years in class because of a lack of special schools | UK News

Thousands of the UK’s most vulnerable and disadvantaged children have been lost in the education system because there are not enough professionals to care for them – with many children at high risk being left out of school for almost two years.

Education leaders have told Sky News that there aren’t enough special schools for children with severe behavioral and mental health problems – and despite the soaring demand, some schools have closed doors as of 2020.

Demand is expected to continue to grow due to the large increase in children suffering from mental health problems caused by the pandemic.

According to the Local Government Association, cases have increased by a quarter in the past two years.

Anne Longfield, the UK’s leading children’s campaigner, says the failing education system leaves young people in the UK struggling.

Ms. Longfield, Chair of the Child Life Committee, said: “I think the education system is not well established right now to be able to help vulnerable children succeed. It doesn’t make that a priority. .

“A lot of vulnerable children don’t progress throughout school to the point where we want to see them. And for me, that’s a huge waste.

“I think what we need to see now is a big shift and a reset for schools in the education system towards inclusive schools.”

Ms Longfield, who served the longest for Britain’s Children’s Commissioner before stepping down last year, added: “There are, of course, some good examples of schools doing an incredible job and they’re inspiration, but they’re also really important because they show you what can be achieved.

“But they’re still the exception and we’re paying attention to them because they’re special. There aren’t many of them, but what I do know is that the demand for that kind of supply is growing.”

Sky News has been granted unprecedented access to New Rush Hall School in Ilford, Essex, which is a special school for children with social, emotional and mental health issues.

Students who have been removed from mainstream schools or Student Referral Units.

Chief executive Sam Walters said: “You can’t even compare this school to a high school. They would have about 30 children in a classroom with one teacher. Here we have eight children, with maximums. three teachers.

“We’re a special school where you can’t see the disability – you can’t see the trauma as a material thing. You see the behavior that comes from it.

“The nature of young people who come here is that it’s seen as a mainstream school that can’t meet their needs. It’s not a suitable provision for them. And they need a specialized special school. on social, emotional, and mental health.”

Read more: Britain’s education system is ‘failing in every way’

The school can only accommodate 80 elementary and middle school students due to their complex needs. Students travel in from all over London and Essex, with some requiring journeys of up to two hours.

Mr. Walters said he has seen a significant increase in the number of children being referred to New Rush Hall and that he expects the number to continue to grow.

He said: “There aren’t enough special schools like this. We consulted continuously. I had six schools come in just this week, but we had to turn them down because they were full.

“I really think there’s a lack of understanding of the level of need that some of the young people out there really, really need. There should be more provisions like this.

“Children who should have received the highest quality of education because of their needs are falling further behind because there are not enough places to give them the quality of education they need.”

Parents should ‘trust’ their child’s school

In response to the crisis, the Ministry of Education has announced that it is investing billions to create more special schools and alternative provisions.

The plans will see up to 60 new special schools introduced – creating more than 4,000 locations – but the first wave won’t be ready until 2025 at the earliest.

Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “All children have the right to a high-quality education. Parents should be assured that their local school is right for their child, no matter where they live or their abilities. they.

“From mainstream education that can meet every need, to specialized teachers and equipment in the right environment, our new schools across the country will continue to ensure that every child, at every places in the country, get the support you need to succeed.”