The Secretary of State for Education, Bridget Phillipson, has visited a Berkshire primary school alongside Reading West and Mid Berkshire MP Olivia Bailey to mark the launch of a new £200m government programme focused on special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
The visit took place on Thursday 16 January at Theale Church of England Primary School, where ministers highlighted plans to provide SEND training for staff across every school, college and nursery in England.
The funding, to be delivered over the course of the current Parliament, is intended to upskill teachers and support staff so more children and young people with SEND can be supported in mainstream settings.
During the visit, Ms Phillipson and Ms Bailey met pupils and staff and observed lessons including history, music, dance and drama.
Ms Bailey described Theale CE Primary School as “a fantastic school” and praised headteacher Catherine Morley and her team for their work.
She said it was “great for the Secretary of State to see pupils working hard and enjoying a wide range of subjects”.
Ms Bailey also welcomed the SEND investment, calling it “the most ambitious and comprehensive SEND training offer ever seen by the English schools system”.
The Department for Education said the programme aims to help more children with additional needs to thrive in their local nursery, school or college.
