George Freeman calls on the Government to ensure better SEND support for small rural schools.

George Freeman (Mid Norfolk) (Con)

Across the 46 schools in Mid-Norfolk. SEND provision is the number one issue for both parents and teachers and staff. Contrary to the party political broadcast opposite, in the last 14 years, I was lucky to secure £7 million from the Conservative coalition for a new school and Conservative County Council funding for a new school in Swaffham. Officials in the Department for Education have also been very constructive in working on a pathfinder for rural hub and spoke support.

Parents in rural areas really struggle. Can I ask what ministers are doing to take that forward to support small rural schools so they can access the specialist help in hubs? 

The Minister for School Standards (Catherine McKinnell)

I know the honourable gentleman raises his concern in all sincerity, which is why we will continue to work with all partners, parents, teachers, local authorities and indeed the NHS also in how we reform our SEND system and ensure that the support that is needed reaches every part in every community and our ambition is for a more inclusive, mainstream school system that draws on the right education and health specialists to make sure that every child receives the support that they deserve.