Bath Rugby charity reacts to heart breaking   crisis facing SEND students

Local charity Bath Rugby Foundation has described the recent figures revealed by ITV News regarding the growing crisis for SEND students as “startling.”

An investigation by ITV News highlighted the significant challenges faced by many families with children who have Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The investigation revealed that not only are these children being excluded from education due to unmet needs, but their families are also struggling with bureaucratic hurdles to secure the necessary support.

The research showed that 58% of children with SEND are “forced out” of school because their needs are not being met.

Jonno Wood, Alternative Learning Manager at Bath Rugby Foundation, commented, “We recently learned from ITV that nearly 60% of Special Educational Needs students are having to take time out of school because their needs are not being met. What’s even worse is that many of those families are having to fight their local authority just to get the educational needs recognized.”

Jonno highlighted a critical flaw in the current education system, stating, “It’s an example of how, as a country, we are so focused on exam results that we are letting down our most vulnerable students. This exam-centric approach neglects the individual needs of SEND students, leading to their exclusion and long-term educational disadvantages.”

For over 20 years, Bath Rugby Foundation has been working to address this issue through a comprehensive approach that involves three key steps:

1. Ensuring Attendance: The foundation’s first priority is to get students to attend the Alternative Learning Hub, overcoming the various obstacles that prevent regular school attendance.
2. Identifying Necessary Skills: The foundation focuses on recognizing and developing the specific skills each student needs to access education, ensuring that their unique needs are met.
3. Focusing on Qualifications: By emphasizing the importance of qualifications, Bath Rugby Foundation helps students achieve tangible outcomes, which not only facilitates educational progress but also boosts their confidence and future prospects.

Bath Rugby Foundation assists students who have been out of school for extended periods, sometimes up to 12 months, in reintegrating into the classroom. By providing tailored support and a nurturing environment, the foundation enables these students to gain qualifications and transition to meaningful next steps in their educational journeys.

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