Responding to the Government's Schools White Paper, Haroon Chowdry, Chief Executive of the Centre for Young Lives think tank, said:

"The Government’s White Paper sets out an ambitious, much-needed, and very welcome direction of travel, which – if fulfilled – will transform the life chances of children who have been left behind for far too long. Doing so helps unlock many other entrenched issues, including mental ill-health, worklessness, and our long-term prosperity.

"The principles that education does not begin and end at the school gate, that family hubs and early intervention are crucial for boosting learning, and that schools are anchors in their community, are all vitally important. This is already happening in some local areas but needs to become the default approach everywhere.

"The White Paper is also vindication for those of us who have called for an inclusive education system that delivers high ambitions, standards and support for every single child. Those who claim it will lower standards will find themselves on the wrong side of history. We must stop clinging to an outdated system that works for the 'default' child but essentially gives up on many thousands of others.

"The Government’s SEND proposals are a big step in the right direction, especially the emphasis on earlier intervention and better support in and out of school. Every child who needs additional help must be able to receive it when and where they need it. Not everyone will agree with every dot and comma, but these principles are essential and what we have called for.

"The White Paper is the best chance in a generation to reduce the attainment gap, tackle the attendance and lost learning crises, and mend a broken SEND system. Our country and our children can’t afford to stick with the status quo any longer. The implementation needs now to live up to the aspiration, and the Government must ensure that its funding, resources, and focus make this vision a reality."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The Centre for Young Lives think tank was founded by former Children’s Commissioner for England Baroness Anne Longfield CBE in February 2024. We use high quality research and evidence to advocate and campaign for innovate solutions and new models that improve the lives of children, young people and their families.
2. Ahead of the Schools White Paper from the Department for Education, the Centre for Young lives published a new framework for SEND reform, “Making sure every child can achieve and thrive in education”. The framework argues that the SEND system is characterised by repeated system failure that prevents children with SEND from being able to do well. It sets out how the Government can build a bold long-term vision for a system that equips every child to thrive, and the comprehensive structural reform to deliver it.