Education at a Crossroads – Urgent Calls for Action on SEND, Funding, Teacher Wellbeing and Ofsted

The recent #SaturdayEduChat within the HeadteacherChat community kept coming back to four areas leaders want reformed:

Equitable funding for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

Overall school funding

Teacher wellbeing and retention

Ofsted reform

Below is what leaders said on each, and what school leaders can do.

SEND Crisis: A Cry for Support

The call for increased and fairer SEND funding was one of the loudest. Mainstream schools are struggling to provide the support SEND pupils need due to a lack of resources and specialist expertise.

Urgent Reforms Needed:

More specialist staff – Schools need speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, educational psychologists, and specialist teachers to provide targeted interventions.

Investment in individualised support – Effective SEND provision relies on high-quality interventions and therapies tailored to pupil needs.

Training for staff – All teachers and school leaders require ongoing professional development in SEND practice to build inclusive classrooms.

Funding Woes: A System on the Brink

Beyond SEND, chronic underfunding is affecting all aspects of education. Schools are forced to cut essential resources, hitting teacher morale, pupil outcomes and school maintenance.

Why Increased Funding Matters:

Attract and retain talented teachers – Competitive salaries and improved working conditions are key to addressing teacher shortages.

Invest in resources and technology – Schools need up-to-date learning materials, EdTech solutions, and modernised classrooms.

Maintain safe and effective learning environments – School buildings need urgent investment to ensure they remain fit for purpose.

A well-funded school system is the foundation of high-quality education. The government must prioritise long-term investment rather than short-term fixes.

Teacher Wellbeing: A Matter of Survival

Teacher stress and burnout have reached critical levels, leading to mass resignations and recruitment challenges. Workload, accountability pressures, and lack of support are driving teachers out of the profession.

Key Solutions for Schools:

Reduce unnecessary workload – Streamline assessments, cut administrative tasks, and adopt efficient reporting systems.

Improve working conditions – Provide adequate non-contact time, access to training, and career progression opportunities.

Prioritise staff wellbeing – Offer mental health support, peer mentoring, and create a positive work culture.

Ofsted: A Call for Transformation

School leaders widely criticised Ofsted for its punitive nature, excessive focus on data, and failure to provide meaningful support. The overwhelming consensus is that Ofsted needs significant reform to truly support school improvement.

Key Areas for Change:

Shift from punitive to supportive inspections – Schools need constructive feedback, not fear-driven oversight.

Move beyond data-driven judgements – Look at the whole school, not only performance data.

Ensure consistency and fairness in inspections – Leaders demand transparency and better training for inspectors.

A Call for Action

The message from #SaturdayEduChat is clear: education in England is at a crossroads. The government must take immediate action to address these critical issues.

How School Leaders Can Advocate for Change:

Engage in policy discussions – Join DfE consultations and local education forums.

Collaborate with other school leaders – Strength in numbers can drive collective action.

Use available resources – Use the HeadteacherChat Community for guidance, checklists, and masterclasses.

Further Resources for School Leaders

From The HeadteacherChat Community:

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Resources:

SEND Monitoring Template – Helps schools track SEND provision and outcomes.

SEND Governance Checklist – Ensures compliance with the SEND Code of Practice.

SEND Code of Practice Compliance Action Plan – Provides step-by-step guidance for effective SEND implementation.

School Funding and Budgeting:

DfE's Budget Allocations and School Funding Policies – Stay informed on government funding updates.

School Financial Value Standard (SFVS) Guide – Supports effective financial planning.

Masterclass: Effective Budgeting for Schools – Practical insights into school finance management.

Teacher Wellbeing and Retention:

Wellbeing and Workload Ofsted Deep Dive Questions – Helps assess staff wellbeing concerns.

Leading on Wellbeing: A Guide for School Leaders – Provides strategies for supporting staff mental health.

Time Management Strategies for Teachers – Helps reduce stress and improve productivity.

Ofsted and School Leadership:

Understanding Ofsted's 2024 Inspection Framework – Keep up to date with changes to inspection criteria.

Masterclass: Preparing for Ofsted Inspections Without Stress – Expert-led training on handling inspections.

Ofsted's Approach to Inspecting Small Schools – Provides insight into how small schools are evaluated.

General School Leadership and Policy Development:

Policy Tracker for Keeping Up with Education Legislation – Helps leaders stay compliant with evolving policies.

School Development and Improvement Plan Templates – Supports long-term strategic planning.

Checklist for School Leaders on Inclusion – Ensures diversity and equality in school policies.

For additional guidance and expert-led discussions, visit The HeadteacherChat Community.

Updated 11/03/25