The Department for Education has released its latest white paper, Every Child Achieving and Thriving, setting out a wide‑ranging plan to help every child, with significant reforms to the system for SEND children. We’ve reviewed the proposals and pulled together the points most relevant to academies and trusts.
A broader curriculum for the decade ahead
A refreshed National Curriculum is planned from 2028, with a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy, oracy, and digital/media literacy. The intention is to give pupils a broader foundation of knowledge and skills, with Progress 8 also being reshaped to reflect this wider focus. There is also a focus for RISE teams on key stage 3, with a KS3 “Alliance” to support innovation and spread best practice across the country to support the transition from primary into secondary schools.
National push on attendance and behaviour
Improving attendance remains at the top of the agenda. The government is targeting 94%+ attendance by 2028/29, supported by closer monitoring of pupil “belonging and engagement” and expectations for calm, mobile‑phone‑free school environments. These measures are intended to help tackle persistent absence and re‑engage pupils in learning. This extends to including minimum expectations for parental engagement.
SEND reforms and new support models
A major SEND overhaul is underway. Schools will move to a Universal → Targeted → Specialist model, with digital Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for children needing additional support and new Specialist Provision Packages for those with more complex needs. A significant expansion of SEND places is also planned, with a “presumption to mainstream” and “National Inclusion Standards” to hold schools accountable for supporting children with SEND.
Workforce development and staff investment
Recruiting and retaining high‑quality teachers remains a priority, with plans for 6,500 new teachers, over £200million funded SEND CPD, and an increase in maternity full‑pay from four to eight weeks. Investment is also being made in “Experts at Hand” to provide in-school specialised support. These changes are designed to support staff wellbeing and strengthen expertise across the sector.
Stronger expectations for trusts and governance
While no deadline is set, the White Paper sets out the government’s expectations for all schools to be part of a high‑quality multi-academy trust. New trust standards and trust‑level inspections aim to strengthen consistency and accountability across the sector. This extends to collaboration between all local services that “touch on a child’s life”, which is seen as essential and the government plans to create a new model of local partnership and shared accountability.
Substantial funding commitments
The proposals are backed by major financial investment, including:
- £1.6billion Inclusive Mainstream Fund
- £1.8billion for the new Experts at Hand support team
- £3.7billion in SEND capital investment
- £3billion per year in ongoing maintenance by 2034/35
- £20billion committed to the national school rebuilding programme
- £3billion Pupil Premium plus over £5billion in deprivation funding
This scale of funding indicates long‑term government commitment to improving both provision and outcomes.
It also comes alongside the Education Estates Strategy, published earlier this month which, along with the SEND capital investment and ongoing maintenance set out above, details plans for a new programme to replace the Condition Improvement Fund by Autumn 2028, launching a Renewal and Retrofit Programme and Connect the Classroom expansion.
Timelines
The White Paper plans reform in a “sequenced, phased and manageable way”, with three overlapping phases:
- From 2025/26: aligning with best practice
- From 2026-27: preparing for SEND and curriculum reforms
- From 2028-29: full implementation
What should academy leaders consider now?
- Curriculum planning: Begin reviewing long‑term curriculum models ahead of the 2028 changes
- Attendance strategy: Assess current systems against the strengthened expectations
- SEND readiness: Consider how digital ISPs and the new tiered model will reshape processes and how the current SEND provision needs to adapt
- Workforce planning: Reflect on CPD priorities and the impact of maternity pay changes
- Trust governance: Ensure your trust is prepared for enhanced reporting and external scrutiny
How Hazlewoods can support you
Our Education team works with academy trusts, multi-academy trust and independent schools, helping leaders navigate strategic, financial and regulatory changes. If you’d like an in‑depth briefing for your board, or support assessing the impact of these reforms on your trust, we’re here to help.
If you would like to discus anything mentioned in the article please get in touch with one of the team below.
For more information on how we can help, head over to our Education page.
