More primary schools to get neurodivergent support

Approximately 300,000 neurodivergent children across 1,200 primary schools will be able to access better support, thanks to a £9.5 million funding package for the Partnership for Inclusion of Neurodiversity in Schools (PINS) programme. The PINS programme supports teacher training that will address neurodiverse needs and ensure that teaching caters for all students, and will be extended for another year.

This is a key move from the government as one in seven children are estimated to be neurodiverse, and a lack of specialist training and awareness to support them means they often face bullying, higher rates of suspensions due to challenging behaviour, absence, and poor mental health.

1,600 primary schools have previously taken part in the PINS programme, which has shown positive outcomes, such as better attendance, behaviour, and wellbeing.

Additionally, the PINs programme has fostered a more inclusive environment in mainstream schools, which has meant that more children with special education needs (SEN) are able to thrive with their peers.

The PINS programme uses specialist education and health professionals to provide vital training to school staff to better identify conditions and access interventions tailed to their specific needs, and to understand better how to interact with neurodivergent children in a supportive way.

Carfield Primary School in Yorkshire, for example, received support from a speech and language team and occupational therapist through the PINS programme, which has led to the school opening the school gates  earlier and staggering lunch time to prevent pupils from becoming overstimulated.

Education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, said: “The impact on life chances when there is a lack of appropriate support for neurodivergent children can be devastating.

“We want a different future for children with SEND: inclusive and tailored to meet their needs, so everyone has the chance to achieve and thrive, and excellence is for every child.

“As part of our Part for Change, we are determined to fix the broken SEND system and restore the trust of parents by ensuring schools have the tools to better identify and support children before issues escalate to crisis point.”