Some mainstream schools support more pupils with SEND than others. Why is this? How has the picture changed over time, and what does it mean for children, families and schools?
A new project led by the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER), with funding from the Nuffield Foundation, will explore these issues.
By analysing national patterns and listening closely to the experiences of school leaders, teachers, parents, carers and local authority staff, the study will provide fresh insights into how pupils with SEND are distributed across England’s mainstream schools – and what this means for education today.
The findings will be shared through a series of accessible reports.
An interim report, due to be published in November will provide a national overview of SEND distribution – setting the scene within the context of the Government’s priorities on SEND and education reform.
The final report, due in May 2026, will provide further in-depth analysis, including school case studies and survey findings.
This work is designed to support the implementation of the SEND and Alternative Provision Improvement Plan, strengthen education policy, and inform government reforms - while giving schools and local authorities the tools they need to build a fairer, more inclusive system.
NFER Senior Research Manager, Matt Walker, said:
“Every child should feel that school is a place where they belong. It should be a community that recognises their strengths, meets their needs, and helps them thrive.
“This project is about more than numbers and policies – it’s about shining a light on how children with SEND are supported in mainstream schools.”