A damning report has uncovered a stark educational divide in England, with five-year-olds who have special educational needs (SEND) found to be 20 months behind their peers in early development milestones. The findings highlight systemic failures in support for vulnerable children, sparking calls for immediate government action.
The Growing Educational Gap
The study, conducted by leading education researchers, assessed key developmental areas including communication, literacy, and social skills. Children with SEND were found to be significantly disadvantaged even before formal schooling begins.
Key Findings:
- Language skills lagging by 18-22 months
- Social development delayed by 15-19 months
- Only 34% of SEND children meeting expected levels in core areas
A System in Crisis
Experts warn that chronic underfunding and staff shortages in early years education have created a "perfect storm" for children with additional needs. Many families report struggling to access basic support services.
"These children are being failed before they've even started," said Dr. Emily Thornton, lead researcher on the project. "The gap we're seeing at age five often persists throughout their entire education."
Calls for Immediate Action
The report recommends:
- Increased funding for early intervention programs
- Specialist training for all early years practitioners
- Mandatory SEND awareness in teacher education
- Expansion of speech and language therapy services
With the next academic year approaching, campaigners are demanding urgent policy changes to address what many are calling an educational emergency.
