A few weeks ago, I posted a cartoon about an NCSE decision to bring the parent portal deadline back to 1st September, and announce it during the summer holidays. The reaction was overwhelming.

Again and again, teachers, principals and parents described a huge disconnect between the NCSE and the reality on the ground in schools.

So that’s what I want to explore next.

Has the NCSE become disconnected from schools, or has it become the public face of decisions that it doesn’t actually make?

I’m looking for examples from your own experience.

What decisions, processes or changes have made you wonder whether the people making them understand how schools actually work?

I’m particularly interested in examples from the last year or two, whether they involve special classes, SNA allocations, admissions, SENOs, paperwork, deadlines, placements or anything else.

And I’d also really like to hear from people working within the NCSE. Is the frustration felt on your side too? Are decisions sometimes being attributed to the NCSE that actually come from elsewhere?

As always, you can DM me privately if you’d rather not comment publicly.

Special Education. Where is the disconnect?