Hemel Hempstead teachers to receive specialist SEND training as David Taylor MP backs Labour’s £200 million landmark programme
More children and young people in Hemel Hempstead to receive the right support early on, as Labour delivers more training on SEND and inclusion than ever before.
Children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in Hemel Hempstead are set to thrive at their local nurseries, schools, and colleges as Labour unveils the most ambitious and comprehensive SEND training offer ever seen in the English schools system.
Acting on direct feedback from Hemel Hempstead families, David Taylor MP recently conducted a local SEND survey which received over 100 responses. A key recommendation from local parents and carers was the urgent demand for better, more consistent training for teachers. Labour is now making good on the promise to deliver the reforms families are crying out for, ensuring classrooms across the constituency benefit from staff trained in supporting a wide range of needs.
Under the Conservatives, training on SEND was inconsistent. As a result, almost half of primary and secondary teachers say that more training would help their confidence in supporting pupils with SEND. That’s why Labour is reforming the system and giving Hemel Hempstead parents the confidence that their child can achieve at their local school.
Backed by £200 million, new courses available to all teaching staff will deepen knowledge of how to adapt teaching to meet various needs, including visual impairments and speech and language challenges. Teachers will learn to use transformative assistive technology, such as speech-to-text dictation tools, and build awareness of additional needs among all pupils.
Underpinning the training will be a new expectation set out in the SEND Code of Practice, confirming that all staff in every nursery, school and college should receive training on SEND and inclusion – making sure that every teacher in Hemel Hempstead and across the country is reached.
David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead, said:
“SEND is an issue of massive importance for families across Hemel Hempstead; I know that from my recent survey where over 100 local respondents made it clear that better teacher training is a top priority. There is a clear consensus that the system needs to change.
“By upskilling our teachers, Labour is making sure need is identified earlier, help comes more quickly, and parents don’t have to fight tooth and nail for the support they deserve.
“Crucially, this move shows Labour is listening to Hemel Hempstead parents. We are transforming the ‘lose, lose, lose’ system the Tories left behind into one where every child in our town can achieve and thrive.”
Education Secretary, Bridget Phillipson said:
“Every child, wherever they live and whatever their needs, should have the opportunity to go to a local school where they can achieve and thrive.
“That’s why we’re equipping staff across every stage of education with more training on SEND and inclusion than ever before – helping to deliver our vision of a truly inclusive education system.”
“This is a key part of our mission to reform the SEND system so that schools can take children from forgotten to included and give parents the confidence that the right support will be there at every stage of their child’s education."
Today’s announcement builds on Labour’s landmark £3 billion investment to deliver around 50,000 more inclusive spaces in mainstream schools, by matching these spaces with expert staff - and reflects extensive engagement with parents and teachers and experts over the last year and as part of the government’s national conversation on SEND. This is on top of the £740 million already invested to create over 10,000 specialist places.
The package will crucially enable children to feel safe and welcome in school – promoting good attendance, attainment and wellbeing. This marks a key step towards delivering on Labour’s mission to make inclusive practice the norm across all schools.
The investment forms a central pillar of Labour’s plans for SEND reform, supporting those educating children from their earliest years, through to age 25. The new training offer will help restore parents’ confidence that their children will be supported throughout every stage of their education.
Delivered flexibly to slot into teachers’ busy schedules, the courses will promote practical skills about how to make education more inclusive, how to work effectively with parents, and how targeted support can ensure can achieve and thrive.
For Hemel Hempstead’s experienced teachers and leaders this represents a marked shift. While existing training is wrapped around those new to the workforce and those stepping up into leadership roles, through initial and early teacher training or National Professional Qualifications, there is a clear gap in support for those in-post looking to build their skills further.
The new training courses will help target this gap. Kicking off from next year, flexible online self-study sessions and live in-person lessons will be available to suit the needs of the busy workforce.
Other key features of the training package include:
• High-quality training materials, developed alongside experts, will be shared with every school and college to enable in-house training for all staff on SEND and inclusion.
• Investment in training for teaching assistants, developed in collaboration with the sector – ensuring support staff feel equipped and confident to support all students with SEND.
• A new Early Years CPD programme, providing free, accessible training focused on inclusive practice, child development, and practical strategies for supporting children with SEND – available to all early years practitioners.
The Schools White Paper will be published early this year, setting out Labour’s full plans to reform the SEND system.