Special Needs Children 'Misdiagnosed'

Many children classified as having special needs may just require better teaching and support, according to a new report by the education watchdog.

The Ofsted report found that as many as half of all pupils identified for school action, the lowest form of special educational need (SEN), would not be identified as having these needs if schools focused on improving teaching and learning for all with individual goals for improvement.

The report, which examined education up to the age of 19, involved 345 detailed case studies and visits to 22 local authorities and 228 nurseries, schools and colleges.

Inspectors said that the term SEN was used too widely and that assessments of the condition varied widely in different areas.

Currently, more than a fifth of school-age children - 1.7 million - in England have been identified as having SEN, ranging from physical disabilities to emotional and behavioural problems.

The report has been strongly criticised by teachers' unions, with the National Union of Teachers saying that the claims were "insulting and wrong". Christine Blower, the union's General Secretary, said: "It is of course important for parents to have every confidence in the SEN provision their children receive and to know that their child is being taught by fully qualified teachers.

"It is also vitally important for teachers to feel that they have received the sufficient and training and support they need in the classroom. All too often schools are left without the necessary back up and support that is required.

"Teachers must also have the freedom to respond adequately to the needs of children and young people at whatever level they are learning. Currently, the National Curriculum can act as a barrier against such freedoms."

(KMcA/BMcC)