[Boiler]

You're welcome.

[davidjay]

Ha ha

I don't get it? If not the Mail, which paper was it from?

Guardian.

Much the same.

[mattomac]

Nah the Mail ran with a headline of Badenoch criticising the year of “failure and lies”, I do wish I had their self confidence.

[The Weeping Angel]

Desmond Tutu once observed that the difference between the Boers and the English was that the Boers would call you all sorts of names to your face, and the English would smile and betray you. That is basically the difference between the Mail and the Guardian.

[Tubby Isaacs]

Something that sounds like Sure Start is coming back. This is a good thing, but there's nothing like the social infrastructure there was then to tap into.

We'll have to wait for the Budget. Sounds like tax rises coming. Perhaps these can fill some gaps.

[The Weeping Angel]

The press are full of fevered speculation about SEND.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

The press are full of fevered speculation about SEND.

The Guardian certainly is, based purely on speculation.

This more measured view is from the Times Education Supplement (I like them because they once interviewed me about my cutting-edge pastoral work...)

The government has not yet made a decision on future changes to education, health and care plans and is not looking to end “effective provision” for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), a minister has told MPs.

Schools minister Catherine McKinnell faced MPs’ questions today in the final session of the Commons Education Select Committee’s inquiry into solving the SEND crisis.

Tes previously revealed that, as part of the government’s ongoing reforms of the SEND system, it is considering whether education, health and care plans (EHCPs) are “the right vehicle” to continue with.

A White Paper setting out planned SEND reforms is expected to be published in the autumn.

Ms McKinnell told the committee that the government was yet to decide on changes to EHCPs.

The government has said it believes more pupils could be educated within mainstream schools.

Tes revealed in May that the government is considering the future of EHCPs - a system of statutory support for pupils that was created in 2014.

Ms McKinnell said today: “We have been clear that we will avoid removing effective provision, that is evidence-based and is working and delivering for children and young people.”

Select committee member and former education secretary James Cleverly asked if this meant that the government was not guaranteeing a continuity of provision.

“You’re saying where it’s good quality it will continue but you’re not giving a 100 per cent guarantee of continuity of provision?” he asked.

Ms McKinnell responded by repeating her comment that the government was not going to remove effective provision.

So I'm not sure what the pearl-clutching is for. Perhaps if Foz reads this she could give us a more in-depth insider opinion.

[The Weeping Angel]

The pearl clutching is for the benefit of SEND parents.

[Killer Whale]

SEND speculation (England only, so I didn't really pay attention) featured on the World at One, too.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I am pleased beyond measure that Phillipson has reincarnated Sure Start.

Won't get any credit for it, though.