Mainstreaming policy ‘not entirely successful’ say Scots head teachers
School leaders back inclusion, but fear it is ‘unattainable’ amid budget squeeze
Secondary school head teachers have warned that Scotland’s policy of mainstreaming pupils has “not been entirely successful” and is often leading to a “poorer” education for young people.
School Leaders Scotland (SLS) said it remained committed to the principles behind the policy of inclusion but that it was a “promise that we can’t keep due to resourcing levels”.
And the body raised concerns that increasing numbers of children with additional support needs (ASN) were being placed in mainstream schools because there were no spaces left in specialist facilities.
The intervention comes amid reports in Edinburgh that a “significant number” of ASN youngsters are now being refused places in enhanced support learning hubs within schools.
About a third of youngsters in Scottish state schools now have ASN, after the number almost doubled in the past decade. Amid evidence of teachers struggling to cope with the huge range of needs they encounter, Holyrood’s education committee is holding an inquiry into ASN provision.
In written evidence, SLS said: “From the perspective of a members in secondary schools the presumption of mainstreaming has not been entirely successful. The principle of the policy is hard to argue against. However, the implementation is problematic if not resourced.”
SLS, which represents secondary school head teachers, deputes and principal teachers, warned that many youngsters find the social side of mainstream school “incredibly difficult and anxiety inducing”, and there is evidence an increasing number of such learners are “school refusers”. A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “While it is for local councils to determine the most appropriate educational provision, the Scottish Government is committed to improving the experiences and outcomes for young people with additional support needs, and spending on additional support for learning reached a record high of £830 million in the most recently published figures.”