Study finds nearly half of excluded children have special educational needs

Nearly half of all children permanently excluded from school in England have special educational needs and disabilities. That’s just one of the findings of a report by the National Audit Office. It warns that mainstream schools are becoming less inclusive because of squeezed budgets. It also says local authorities are increasingly relying on special schools and independent schools, which are more expensive.  We report on one family’s battle for a school place in Bath.