Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Jess Asato (Labour) on Monday, 1 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 June 2026. It was answered by Georgia Gould (Labour) on Monday, 8 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Special Educational Needs: Speech and Language Disorders

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether she is taking steps to ensure that Initial Teacher Training equips new teachers to deliver adaptive teaching for children with speech and language challenges.

Answer

Initial teacher training (ITT) courses must encompass the Initial Teacher Training and Early Career Framework (ITTECF) in full. The ITTECF sets out a minimum entitlement to training for all new teachers and, following a review, now contains significantly more content related to adaptive teaching and supporting pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), including pupils with speech and language needs.

ITT providers must also ensure that their courses enable trainee teachers to meet the Teachers’ Standards, to be recommended for Qualified Teacher Status. The Teachers’ Standards set clear expectations that teachers must understand the needs of all pupils, which includes those with speech and language challenges.

The department recognises the importance of continuous improvement and will be undertaking a full review of the Early Career Teacher Entitlement, scheduled for 2027. This will focus on strengthening support for new teachers in meeting the needs of pupils with SEND and ensuring high-quality training provision.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
5690
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Teachers Special educational needs Training Speech and language disorders
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk