Young people with SEND are being disproportionately impacted by wide geographical variations in the availability of post-16 qualifications.
Headteachers have warned that students who have special needs, or are carers, are receiving less support with their post-16 studies and may have problems accessing suitable transport to get to their schools or colleges.
The warning comes after the National Foundation for Education Research (NFER) published a study showing the limitations on students accessing A-levels and other qualifications in specific subjects.
It means that many are unable to study what they want because there is no availability in that subject near them.
The study, commissioned by the Association of Colleges (AoC), found subject ‘cold spots’ in some parts of the country, where some subjects are not offered by any provider.
This was especially true in subjects such as A-Level Dance and Music Technology, which are unavailable to students in around half of England’s local authorities, while students in over 30 local authorities were unable to study A-Level German.
These ‘cold spots’ were not confined to rural areas, with some more densely populated areas having weak subject availability or inefficient delivery to small classes.
To achieve equality of access for students regardless of where they live, a collaborative approach between providers is vital
In practice, this means learners’ choice of post-16 qualifications might be shaped, and in some cases limited, by the structure of their local provider market.
Luke Bocock, Research Director at NFER, said: “Sometimes, a young person’s choices at 16 are shaped not just by their interests or ambitions, but by what happens to be available locally.
“Without better coordination across the post-16 education system, these gaps risk limiting young people’s potential and creating inequalities.”
Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders’ union NAHT, said the union was concerned about SEND students’ ability to access learning.
She said: “Any geographical variation in the availability of qualifications means that some students will need to travel to access the qualification they wish to take or their needs and aspirations may not be met.
“This has a disproportionate negative impact on some groups of students, for example students with special educational needs (SEND) for whom NAHT has concerns about the accessibility of suitable transport and specialist support, as well as young carers who are unable to travel far from the people they care for.
“In order to achieve equality of access for students regardless of where they live, a collaborative approach between providers is vital to ensure a wide range of suitable vocational and academic qualifications are available to meet the needs of all young people.”
