News

In the week that Andy Burnham took office as Prime Minister, NASS wrote to the new Prime Minister to set out four priorities for SEND reform in a series of briefing papers.

In this guest blog, Gemma Hill of HCR Law explains what's in the government's latest consultation (currently open until 25th August), explores the proposed new rights for workers and agency staff, and highlights the key issues special schools need to be aware of as these employment law changes take shape.

NASS Trustees have appointed Clive Lawrence OBE as the new Chief Executive of NASS and he will join NASS in November 2026.

What does the government's new SEND funding consultation mean for special schools? In this analysis, NASS Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer Mari Davis explores the potential opportunities, risks and unanswered questions behind the proposals, and why special schools should be paying close attention.

KCSIE 2026 was published on 7th July and comes into force in September 2026. In this article, Kate Shields from NASS Partner HCR Law explores the key changes, what they mean for special schools, and the steps leaders should take to ensure safeguarding policies, staff training and practice remain compliant and effective.

Jasper Williams, NASS’s Policy & Research Intern reflects on the Government’s Experts at Hand proposals — the opportunities they could create for collaboration between mainstream and special schools and the unanswered questions around funding, workforce and local planning.

Mari Davis, Senior Policy and Public Affairs Officer at NASS, considers what the Milburn Review means for SEND reform and why special schools must be recognised as part of the solution to improving outcomes for children and young people.

Some of the most important progress learners with SEND make can be difficult to capture through traditional measures. In this guest blog, the team at PAGS reflect on the framework they have developed to address this complex challenge and the impact it is having in special schools.

Hero Slinn and Ethan Sumner join NASS Council.

Amy Carr, Head of Curriculum Design and Personal Development at William Henry Smith School & Sixth Form, reflects on her research amplifying young people with ADHD who feel pressured by rigid school systems. She writes about the critical value of relationships and ensuring the voice of the child is heard.

Read NASS's response to the SEND Reform consultation, along with three thought pieces that support further discussion and solution-finding. Thank you to the hundreds of schools that took time to contribute to our consultation events, these voices have been essential in shaping our response.

Our annual awards are open to NASS member schools and organisations. The deadline for entries is midday on Wednesday 15th July.