Rise in pupils with health problems
Schools are seeing more pupils with health conditions and physical disabilities, according to a poll.
It suggests that around half (49%) say there are more youngsters with conditions such as allergies, asthma, cancer, diabetes, heart issues, hearing loss and arthritis than two years ago, while just over half (56%) have seen a rise compared to five years ago.
In total, more than nine in 10 education workers (92.8%) said there are pupils in their school or college who have a physical health condition, the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) survey found.
Nine in 10 education workers said there are pupils in their school who have a physical health condition, the poll revealed
The union raised concerns that funding cuts have hit special educational needs (SEN) services, leaving schools and colleges at risk of being unable to fulfil their legal obligations towards disabled pupils.
The poll, which questioned around 500 union members, reveals that around a third (35.7%) say they have noticed more support is needed to assist pupils dealing with these issues than two years ago, with a further 29.5% saying there has been a "slight increase" in the level of support required.
Some 13.1% said no more help is needed now than two years ago, while 2.1% said less is required.
More than three fifths (62.8%) of those polled said awareness of medical conditions has increased among education staff in the last two years.
Some union members called for more training for teachers to help them meet pupils' needs.
One early years teacher from Berkshire told ATL: "Training should be given as part of initial teacher training ensuring newly qualified teachers have a basic understanding of pupils' needs and how to support them effectively.
"I also believe training for school staff should be part of regular meetings, especially if a pupil in the school is diagnosed with a physical condition, so all staff can enable the pupil to learn with appropriate support."
Just under a fifth (19.5%) said there was enough effective training in their school or college to help them and their colleagues to identify and support pupils with physical conditions.
ATL general secretary Dr Mary Bousted said: "Our survey suggests SEN provision is woefully inadequate in many schools and colleges, following an increase in the amount of support needed to provide for physically disabled pupils.
"Changes to SEN funding together with SEN reforms mean teachers are now expected to meet a far wider range of special educational and disability needs, despite a lack of training, and huge cuts to external support services.
"Members are also worried the additional and unsupported responsibilities placed on education staff will prevent them from doing their job to the best of their abilities.
"Since this Government has cut funding, which has drastically damaged SEN provision, we fear many schools and colleges are unable to meet their legal obligations for disabled pupils under the Equality Act 2010.
"The Act legislates for equal, and in some cases additional adjustments, to enable these pupils to flourish and achieve their potential. It's morally right and what's more, it is the law."
:: The poll questioned 512 ATL members working in schools and college in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in March.
