UK to Publish Schools White Paper on Education Reforms

The UK government is set to publish its Schools White Paper on Monday, outlining sweeping reforms to England's education system aimed at closing the attainment gap for disadvantaged pupils and overhauling support for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson described the plans as a "blueprint for opportunity," targeting improvements in funding, regional performance, school attendance, and SEND provisions to ensure every child receives tailored support regardless of background or location.

At the heart of the reforms are changes to SEND support, which currently affects around 1.7 million children, including nearly 500,000 school pupils. The proportion of pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs)—legally binding documents outlining a child's needs and required support—has risen steadily, with many local authorities issuing them beyond the statutory 20-week deadline. Under the new proposals, EHCP determinations will be delivered within weeks rather than months or years, addressing parental complaints of adversarial battles and long waits. Phillipson emphasized this shift, stating, "We will make sure that...