This is the presentation made on behalf of Simone Aspis at theis evening's Scrutiny Committe which discussed the proposal for alternative free school provision at the Roundwood Centre:
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Establishing an Alternative Provision
Free Special school, which is just another special school for disabled pupils
with special education needs will only limit future opportunities for this
group of pupils. The evidence shows that disabled pupils, often with
undiagnosed mental health issues, autism or neuropsychological conditions,
educated in the segregated education system, such as in PRUs, are more likely
than their mainstream school peers to experience poorer outcomes.
The government’s latest destinations
data, focusing on pupils finishing their GCSEs in 2012/13, shows that nearly
half (45 per cent) of young people leaving PRUs were not in education,
employment, or training six months after the end of their compulsory schooling,
compared to only 6 per cent of students leaving mainstream schools, and 11 per cent
leaving special schools.
Furthermore, more than 50 per cent of
Disabled young people with learning difficulties entering the criminal justice
system said they had attended a special school at some point in their
education, and similar numbers had been excluded from school. Thus, the
evidence shows that Disabled pupils are at least twice as likely to be engaged
in education, employment, or training if they attended a mainstream rather than
a special school for Disabled pupils. What is needed is greater investment in
mainstream education that is inclusive of everyone including disabled pupils.
This investment will ensure that
disabled pupils will remain in mainstream education where they have better
outcomes.
Simone Aspis Brent Resident in
Willesden Green and Changing Perspectives Director
