- England's highest-achieving secondary schools admit significantly fewer disadvantaged pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) compared to average schools, according to a new Sutton Trust report.
- The top 500 secondary schools enrol approximately half of the disadvantaged SEND pupils seen in comprehensive schools, with 41 per cent of school leaders believing some institutions actively deter SEND applications.
- Sutton Trust chief executive Nick Harrison labelled the disparity as “appalling” and “social segregation”, citing underfunding and disincentives as contributing factors.
- Research found that the 500 best-performing schools take in 5.1 percentage points fewer pupils eligible for free school meals and 1.1 percentage points fewer pupils receiving SEND support than their catchment areas.
- There are calls for addressing disincentives for schools to admit more SEND and poorer children, while the government has introduced reforms including £1.6 billion in funding.
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