If schools for young people with SEN were amalgamated with mainstream schools, I think this would build a society more aware and understanding of many underrepresented needs.

Many people who have SEN are often faced with a wall of misunderstanding by wider society, as some people cannot voice their feelings or needs the way others can – such as through social media or speech. People can very often be reliant on close family or dedicated organisations to articulate and make others aware of certain societal challenges and needs, such as the need for quiet spaces in public places like airports or shopping centres, for some people with autism.

Although there are issues in terms of practicalities, as SEN schools often require equipment like chair lifts and sensory toys, and trained staff such as occupational or music therapists, which are not required in mainstream schools, if schools were more mixed this would normalise and emphasise the need for such equipment and requirements in everyday life.

I think if more people grew up aware of what people experiencing SEN enjoy, require in social spaces and require for an equal quality of life, laws and choices made in wider society would represent and reflect these needs more effectively.

I think that amalgamating SEN schools with mainstream schools can definitely raise awareness as to what SEN students are going through and what they need. It can also boost socialisation with mixed groups and understanding as to how society can include SEN people as well. However, there are certain challenges that schools and teachers and parents may face because of the amalgamation, which would require a whole course of action with regards to training the teachers to deal with mixed groups and how the classroom can be structured in a way that all needs are catered for. As you mentioned, equipment is also important, and a whole new system of educating students as to how and why this amalgamation needs to work for the betterment of the education of SEN students and the issue of acceptance. If all these things are set in place, I think this would be a beneficial measure.

I liked your point about social awareness. Perhaps, it would make us a kinder / more accepting society. However, to blend SEN schools with mainstream schools would be really difficult. The mainstream schools would be required to be equipped with all the necessary equipment. Many mainstream schools also have many staircases etc, so lots of money would have to be spent on installing lifts. There would also have to be many more classes for a range of students with different abilities. Therefore, would it actually really make it that integrated if the kids were in separate lessons / classrooms? Teachers in mainstream schools would also need to take extra courses on how education in special needs schools work and their requirements. How would this all be funded?

As someone who works in mainstream education, I can empathise with the way that mainstream amalgamation would spread awareness and understanding regarding varying conditions. I admire your chief aims behind this though and awareness is certainly something that should become a priority in the education industry.

But this simply wouldn’t work. With education professionals overwhelmed with increasing class sizes, the specific educational needs of SEND students with severe needs would not be met. The average class size being 30 students, gives teachers roughly 2 minutes with each student without considering circulation priorities or teacher talk time.

In some cases, where schools have outstanding provision and support for specific students and extensive TA budgets it would certainly work. Some SEND Students with acute needs would arguably make progress but at the cost of not receiving the time or provisions that would maximise their learning outcomes or integration into mainstream school life. Most with acute specific needs would have to be educated in smaller groups, potentially defeating the object of amalgamation.

In addition, to be able to normalise the wide variety of equipment and support within mainstream education, schools and trusts would need larger budgets to provide the educational support appropriate, which in an unprecedented evolutionary landscape, (owing much to Covid transmission) the logistics do not add up. Arguably this wouldn’t be beneficial for either SEND students or wider school cohorts.

I completely agree that there needs to be better awareness and more societal understanding for the needs of SEND individuals. In theory it would be beneficial in terms of raising awareness and understanding however, I do not think that the merging of SEND schools and mainstream would work in practice.

I currently work as a waking night support worker in a SEND school, primarily working with college age individuals with autism amongst other needs. For the majority of the learners I work with it would not be practical or wise to put them into a situation in which there is a lot of noise and people. This can trigger major incidents such as the destroying of property, hitting and other incidents such as smearing. These complex needs can also be coupled with other mental health issues that then result in behaviour that is challenging such as anxiety. Therefore the environment of a mainstream school can firstly put the learner in an uncomfortable and anxiety inducing situation leading to incidents, and also put other students at risk if there is an incident.

I also agree that this will put further pressure onto the teachers and further complicates the issue of funding and number of staff as currently in the school I work in there is one teacher or member of education to one or two learners. Additionally then there is the issue of medication for some learners, access to food and what food is available etc. the lack of certain foods and a routine can lead to anxiety for the learner and therefore the risk of an incident which the mainstream schools may not be equipped to deal with due resources etc.