Enhanced pathways 'way forward' for SEND services

Headteacher Jo Reid said her school was successfully using a pathway

An initiative to support children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) within mainstream schools could help to solve a crisis in Oxfordshire, it has been suggested.

Enhanced pathways provide funding for teachers who can deliver small group support for children with SEND, offering bespoke and specialised curriculums.

Jo Reid, the headteacher at Botley School near Oxford, which is using a pathway, said they also made sense from a practical viewpoint.

"They use the spaces that we've got because of falling birth rates," she said.

"The children on our pathways are making incredible progress, they're thriving.

"Many also integrate well into classes with their peers too at times, so it's very inclusive. I really do believe this is the way forward."

Oxfordshire County Council is currently implementing a priority action plan, which includes enhanced pathways.

It follows a highly critical 2023 Ofsted report that found the needs of children with SEND were not being met.

In February the council's cabinet approved funding to double the number of pathways from 20 to 40.

It said it wanted to spread support as widely as possible across the county.

Ruth said the enhanced pathways meant her son had been able to stay with his friends

Matthew has autism, ADHD and learning delays, but his mum said the enhanced pathways meant he had been able to stay with his friends and was thriving.

Mum Ruth said: "We did think at one point he'd have to travel in a taxi for half an hour to attend a specialist school.

"We feel really fortunate he's able to stay at his local school, where he's been since nursery, so he still sees all his friends and in the playground. He's really happy."

Oxfordshire County Council's high-needs block is running a substantial financial deficit and the pathways are a spend-to-save initiative.

They cost about £5,000 per pupil, while specialist schools can cost up to £70,000 per year, per child.

Dr Claire Brenner said "only a few hundred children" would benefit from the scheme

Council cabinet member for SEND improvement Kate Gregory said the money saved was "important but it's secondary really".

"The most important thing is that children and young people are getting the support that they desperately need and deserve," she said.

"Enhanced Pathways are a key strand when it comes to our SEND improvement plan."

However, campaigners have said while enhanced pathways are a positive development, they only facilitate a very small number of children compared to the number in need.

Dr Claire Brenner, spokesperson for Oxfordshire SEND Parent Action Group, said: "Obviously it is lovely to have a good news story but only a few hundred children will benefit from this.

"But there are thousands of children in hundreds of schools across the county that desperately need help."

A council spokesperson said: "While acknowledging that enhanced pathways do not reach all children and young people who may need it Oxfordshire County Council is doubling the current programme and will continue to review levels of provision in the future".

"Schools without enhanced pathways have access to support for pupils with SEND from other council initiatives."