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Schools white paper 2026: summary

Read our summary of the schools white paper, which includes proposed reform to the SEND system. Find out what the proposals might mean for your school or trust and how to respond to the DfE's consultation on SEND reform, which you'll need to do before 18 May.

Last reviewed on 27 February 2026See updates
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Contents
  1. At a glance
  2. Proposed reform to SEND provision 
  3. Other proposals in the white paper 
  4. Expected timeline
  5. Next steps 

At a glance

The schools white paper sets out the DfE’s plans for:

  • SEND: including layered support, new individual support plans (ISPs) and 'inclusion bases' in mainstream settings
  • Supporting disadvantaged pupils: including using income data to determine disadvantage
  • Enrichment: with a new enrichment entitlement and Enrichment Framework to be published this academic year 
  • Engagement: including a new Pupil Engagement Framework published later this year
  • Moving all schools to be part of school trusts: including new trusts established by local authorities (LAs) or area partnerships 
  • Engagement with parents/carers: including new School Profiles, guidance on home-school expectations and an improved school complaints system
  • Data-driven improvement: via a new digital platform
  • School workforce pay and conditions: including an increase in maternity pay for teachers and leaders 

Note: some of the proposals set out in the white paper aren't new (such as the changes in response to the curriculum and assessment review), but we have included