UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Ofsted’s Priya Bhagrath said SEND schools fail ‘global majority’ pupils by offering a diluted curriculum lacking cultural depth and racial representation.
As reported by the Telegraph, a senior Ofsted figure has demanded a more inclusive curriculum in SEND schools, slamming the current model for ignoring race and lived experiences.
What did Priya Bhagrath say about SEND schools and racism?
Priya Bhagrath stated that SEND pupils deserve an education that reflects their identities and the realities they face daily.
She claimed that after George Floyd’s killing, mainstream schools led the push to decolonise education, while SEND schools were sidelined in the debate.
Ms Bhagrath, a SEND headteacher, stated that the incident pushed mainstream schools to confront their role in systemic racism.
She wrote in Teach Primary that the SEND sector, which caters to many from the global majority, was overlooked in the push for curriculum reform.
Ms Bhagrath said,
“There are four pillars that I believe are critical for truly anti-racist SEND education: Multicultural education that goes beyond festivals and food, and instead recognises lived experience, cultural narratives, and history.”
She stated,
“Increased representation, particularly in leadership, where those making the decisions should reflect the communities they serve. Decolonising the curriculum so Send pupils are not fed a diluted, colour-blind education, but one that reflects who they are and the world they live in.”
The inspector called for anti-racism to be integrated into every element of school life, including how educators engage with families, set standards, and receive training.
She said,
“This is a call for collective action. The pupils at the intersection of race and Send are not just underachieving – they are being failed by a system that was never designed with them in mind. The data on exclusions, outcomes, and engagement paints the picture clearly.”
Ms Bhagrath stated,
“We do not need more evidence, we need resolve. If you are a head teacher, a policymaker, a teacher, a parent, or someone working in education with a desire to lead with equity, then this plea is for you. It is not comfortable, but it is necessary.”
She added,
“We cannot keep rolling out saris for sensory play and calling it multicultural inclusion. We cannot keep hiring diverse staff without opening up real pathways to leadership. We cannot keep writing off families for being ‘hard to reach’ when we have not even tried.”
According to her, inclusion can only be meaningful when intersectionality drives the core of school practices.
Why was a cross-party inquiry launched into SEND?
Last December, MPs launched a probe into the SEND system, focusing on resolving core issues rather than exposing past shortcomings.
Labour MP Helen Hayes, who led the committee, called the situation “arguably the most serious crisis” facing education and child support services.
Helen Hayes said,
“There are also symptoms which blight local councils’ budgets – ever-increasing spending on transporting pupils to settings far from where they live, and the chaos of money being poured into tribunals that parents are expected to win.”
She added,
“It’s widely accepted that many more councils could face effective bankruptcy if change doesn’t come soon.”
Key facts about Ofsted
Inspection Changes (2025)
- New 5-point report cards replace single-word grades.
- Safeguarding is now judged as either “Met” or “Not Met”.
- All inspections will now be full and graded.
School performance & help
- 657 schools are still rated below “Good”, affecting 312,000 students.
- 217 schools are getting special RISE support (avg. 6.6 years below “Good”).
Early years & safeguarding
- Early years are rated in 8 areas, including child safety and local needs.
- 25% of pupils now get free school meals (up from 24.6%).
Funding & school types
- £6.2m spent to create new report cards.
- Over half of pupils go to academies; 83% of secondary schools are academies.