Hi everyone,

I hope the week has been a good one so far and that the occasional glimpses of sunshine have lifted your spirits a little.

This week’s message links to the recent White Paper, and in particular the changes around how schools like ours will need to continue adapting to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children.

The proportion of pupils who are vulnerable, including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), is growing – that’s simply a fact. As I write this, 22.6% of pupils across our Trust are identified as having a special educational need of some description. That is above the national average, with over 140 of our children currently supported by an Education, Health and Care Plan.

At the same time, it is widely acknowledged that the current SEND funding system is not working as it should. The White Paper is clear on this. In Lincolnshire, all special schools are full, and the Local Authority is having to place some of our most complex children out of county, often at significant cost and away from their communities. The system, as it stands, is not sustainable – and it must change.

The direction of travel is also clear. Mainstream schools will be expected to be increasingly inclusive and to meet the needs of all but the most complex SEND pupils. To do this well, we will need to deepen our understanding of what high-quality inclusion looks like, continue to build our expertise, and ensure we are making the most of the new support that will be available to us through the reforms – both financially and through external agencies.

Most importantly, though, this is about mindset. Our communities are changing, and therefore our work is evolving too. We need to continue building a culture rooted in inclusion – one that starts with strong relationships, genuine understanding of need, and a commitment to working alongside families to find the right pathways for every child, not just those who fit more traditional expectations.

The encouraging news is that much of this is already a real strength for Infinity. Our SEND audits highlight the inclusive culture across our schools and the high-quality work already taking place. We should be proud of this. The opportunity now is to build on that foundation, stay ahead of the reforms, and continue to innovate so that our schools can lead the way.

There is still more to understand as the reforms develop. I have attached a couple of information sheets which outline the likely direction over the next few years. What is certain is that change is coming—but we are already responding to it, and I am confident that together we will continue to rise to meet the needs of our children and communities.

Thank you, as always, for everything you do. You make a difference every single day.

Best wishes,
Gavin