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Written question asked by Elsie Blundell (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 September 2025. It was answered by Georgia Gould (Labour) on Friday, 3 October 2025 on behalf of the Department for Education.


Special Educational Needs

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to (a) reduce class sizes and (b) provide focused support in maintained special schools.

Answer

Special schools are specially organised to support pupils with complex special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). The provision required will be specified in the pupils’ education, health and care plans, which the responsible local authority is statutorily required to secure.

The Children and Families Act 2014 requires local authorities to keep the provision for children and young people with SEND under review, working with parents, young people and providers.

Decisions about how to organise provision within a special school is for the headteacher to determine. Special schools will use a variety of staff deployment and grouping models based on the varied needs of their children.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
76103
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Class sizes Schools Special educational needs
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk