Six SEN children in NI have no school place for September

The EA said "only 26% of mainstream schools in Northern Ireland currently offer specialist provision"

Six children with special educational needs (SEN) are still without a September school place.

That is according to the Education Authority (EA) which said it was continuing to work with schools "to ensure that all children can access education".

The EA also said there are potentially 100 SEN children, who have secured a school place, but who "may not be able to attend full-time at the beginning of the academic year" because of ongoing construction works at 23 schools.

BBC News NI understands it's expected the majority of the 100 pupils will be able to attend school full-time by Halloween or the following week.

The EA said it is continuing to work with schools to "minimise disruption to learning" and that "bespoke arrangements will be in place for children and families where there are delays".

It is understood this could include structured home visits by staff or part-time classes.

The education body said there had been "a large-scale effort to create additional accommodation" with 1,374 additional SEN places created for the 2025-26 school year.

It added that "only 26% of mainstream schools in Northern Ireland currently offer specialist provision".

'Much more still needs to be done'

EA Chief Executive, Richard Pengelly, said the creation of over 1300 additional SEN places had been made possible by a "sustained push".

"Just two months ago, there was still a potential shortfall of 164 places."

"I commend all the work to significantly reduce that figure and thank the schools that have helped make it happen.

"However, much more still needs to be done."

Mr Pengelly added there needed to be a move away from the "annual cycle of potential shortfalls in places".

"That will have to involve working towards a position where all schools are involved in providing specialist provision – where SEN teaching is mainstreamed in every sense of the word.

"That can be done alongside continued investment to keep growing the number of places in Special Schools."

Mr Pengelly also warned the "level of need will increase again next year".

In June, the EA wrote to principals informing them it was considering an unprecedented move to instruct some schools to admit SEN children.

National Association of Head Teachers Northern Ireland secretary Graham Gault welcomed the additional SEN places that have been created since then but said "the fundamental issue remains chronic underfunding of education by the Northern Ireland Executive".

"The fact that only 26% of mainstream schools currently offer specialist provision is not due to lack of will or commitment from school leaders," he said.

"Complex systemic issues prevent schools from taking on specialist provision classes, and these barriers must be properly understood and addressed."

'Extremely concerned'

The Children's Commissioner Chris Quinn said he has written to the EA Chief Executive to raise "serious concerns".

"Every single one of these children deserves an appropriate school place, the right support, and the opportunity to learn alongside their peers," Mr Quinn said.

"This is their right, and the system must deliver it."

The commissioner added: "I am extremely concerned that, in the absence of meaningful engagement at the highest level, the same failures will continue to be repeated.

"These children and families cannot wait any longer for urgent solutions."