The government just published a 113-page SEND White Paper.

>Almost no one will read it.

So they created a 13-page easy-read version for children and young people.

That's the one you should read.

Because buried in simplified language aimed at kids is what the government actually admits: the system is broken and most schools won't fix it until 2030.

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Here's what the easy-read version tells children:

"Most of you will get support through the Universal Offer. For those who need more, there will be three layers: Targeted, Targeted Plus, and Specialist."

"Teachers will notice your needs early and give help straight away, without waiting for a diagnosis."

"You'll have a digital Individual Support Plan that changes as your needs change."

"Schools will have Inclusion Bases with small group support."

Translation: Everything we've been doing at Sophia since 2020.

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But here's the bit they bury in the easy-read version:

"We expect some changes will start to happen from now until 2028 and other changes will happen in 2029 and 2030."

Read that again.

2028. 2029. 2030.

Students who need support now?

Wait four years.

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The easy-read version is honest in ways the 113-page policy document isn't.

It tells children:

"Not all schools provide the same support. We want to make this better and more reliable."

Translation: Your postcode determines whether you get help.

"Teachers will look at what you find hard and give help straight away instead of waiting for a doctor's diagnosis."

Translation: Right now, schools ARE waiting for diagnosis. Leaving students to struggle.

"Schools will create an Inclusion Strategy explaining the support they'll give. Ofsted will judge how inclusive schools are."

Translation: Currently, schools don't have to prove they're inclusive. And Ofsted isn't checking.

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Why the easy-read version matters:

Because it's written for the people the system is supposed to serve.

And when you strip away policy language and write for children, you can't hide the truth.

The truth is:

• ❌ Most schools don't intervene early
• ❌ Most schools wait for diagnosis before providing support
• ❌ Most schools don't have Individual Support Plans
• ❌ Most schools don't track whether students feel they belong
• ❌ Most schools measure success by top achievers, not students brought up from the bottom

And the government is promising to fix this by 2030.

Students can't wait.

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At Sophia High School, we already operate the model the easy-read version describes:

• ✅ Individual Support Plans (digital, updated as needs change)
• ✅ Early intervention without waiting for diagnosis
• ✅ Small classes (6-8 students) where every child is known
• ✅ Flexible support that moves as needs change
• ✅ Teachers trained in inclusive pedagogy
• ✅ Real-time tracking of engagement, belonging, progress
• ✅ Parents see what their child learns every day

Not in 2030. Now.

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Our local authority partners commission 70 permanently excluded KS3 students annually.

Students mainstream schools called "unteachable."

Every referral shows: needs identified early, no intervention, gap widened, behaviour escalated, exclusion.

Then they arrive at Sophia.

And we give them exactly what the easy-read White Paper says every student should get.

Same kids. Different system.

They thrive.

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Here's what makes the easy-read version so damning:

It's explaining to children what "good education" should look like.

Early support. Individual plans. Teachers who help without waiting for diagnosis. Schools that track whether you feel safe and included.

Children reading this will think: "My school doesn't do any of this."

And they're right.

Because the government is admitting: this is what should happen, but it won't be required by law until 2028-2030.

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The consultation closes 18th May.

Most people won't read 113 pages.

Read the 13-page easy-read version instead.

It's honest in ways policy documents never are.

It tells children what they deserve.

And it admits most schools aren't delivering it.

Then it promises change by 2030.

Students in Year 7 today will be in Year 11 by 2030.

They can't wait.

We're not waiting.

We've been building what the White Paper describes since 2020.

Because this is just good education.

It shouldn't require a White Paper.

It should be standard.