UK Secondary Schools Will Get New 'Inclusion Bases' for Students with Special Needs by Spring 2026

By Spring 2026, every UK secondary school must have a special 'inclusion base' for students with special needs. This is part of a new government plan to improve support.
By Newsroom | Education, UK |

Recent policy shifts suggest a significant reassessment of how secondary schools provide support for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This comes as the government is preparing to release a broader plan for SEND reform. The expectation is that every secondary school will be equipped with dedicated "inclusion bases," and staff across all state schools will undergo mandatory training on SEND and inclusion. These changes are part of a wider ten-year education estates strategy, which also addresses broader concerns such as climate resilience in school buildings.

The Department for Education (DfE) is set to release new guidance for schools this spring. This guidance will outline how existing school spaces can be transformed into effective areas for children with SEND. This move precedes the formal unveiling of the government's comprehensive SEND reform plan within an upcoming schools White Paper.

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Government Mandates Inclusion Bases and Staff Training

The DfE has outlined plans that expect every secondary school to establish an "inclusion base."

  • These dedicated areas are intended to provide specific support for students with SEND.

  • New guidance on converting existing school spaces into effective inclusion bases will be provided this spring.

  • All state school staff are to receive training focused on SEND and inclusion.

These measures are integrated into the government’s ten-year education estates strategy. This strategy also encompasses making school buildings more resilient to environmental challenges like flooding and overheating, linked to climate change.

Rationale Behind the SEND Reforms

The introduction of inclusion bases and enhanced staff training appears to be a strategic move ahead of the government's full SEND reform package.

  • The current actions signal a proactive approach to improving support structures for students with SEND.

  • The upcoming schools White Paper is anticipated to detail a more extensive reform agenda.

  • The timing of these announcements suggests an effort to lay groundwork and build capacity within schools.

Expert Analysis

"The DfE wants to ensure that every secondary school has an inclusion base. It's about making sure that those young people who need that specific support…have got that within their school. It's not about them having to go elsewhere."

This statement indicates a goal of providing accessible, in-school support for students with SEND. The emphasis is on integrating these resources rather than creating a separate system.

Conclusion

The government is implementing a two-pronged approach to bolster SEND support in secondary schools. Firstly, there is a directive for all secondary schools to establish inclusion bases, supported by new government guidance on space conversion. Secondly, a comprehensive training program for all state school staff on SEND and inclusion is mandated. These initiatives are framed within a broader ten-year education strategy and are expected to precede the full release of the government's SEND reform plans.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new support will secondary schools in the UK offer students with special needs by Spring 2026?
By Spring 2026, every secondary school in the UK is expected to have a dedicated 'inclusion base'. These are special areas designed to give focused help to students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Q: Will school staff in the UK receive training for supporting students with special needs?
Yes, all staff in state schools across the UK will get mandatory training. This training will focus on how to support students with SEND and promote inclusion in schools.
Q: When will schools receive guidance on setting up these new 'inclusion bases'?
The Department for Education (DfE) will give new guidance to schools this spring. This guidance will explain how schools can use their current spaces to create effective 'inclusion bases' for students with SEND.
Q: Why are these changes happening in UK secondary schools now?
These changes are part of a bigger government plan to reform how students with SEND are supported. The new 'inclusion bases' and staff training are steps taken before the full SEND reform plan is released in a White Paper.
Q: How will these 'inclusion bases' help students with special needs?
The goal is to make sure students who need specific support can get it within their own school. This means they won't have to go to a different place for help, keeping them closer to their friends and regular classes.