Commenting as the government announces a £3bn investment into SEND education, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said:

“We very much welcome this new significant investment in specialist provision. We have long argued that there is a need for more specialist places across the school system, both in mainstream and special schools and we are pleased to see the government has made this a spending priority. This additional investment should mean that, in time, more children and young people receive the provision and education that they need and deserve.

“Of course, investment in buildings is only one part of the picture – it is just as important that the government now ensures there are sufficient teachers and leaders with the right level of specialist training to work with those children and young people. The government must also ensure that the existing school estate receives the funding it needs, with so many schools, both mainstream and special, requiring urgent remedial works, and that those schools are adequately funded and well supported by sufficient health and care services, so that they can ensure every pupil succeeds and thrives.”