Press Story

The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce, chaired by education leader Geoff Barton, will publish its findings in autumn 2025

The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce has today announced the members of its newly established panel, which will develop a roadmap to reform England’s failing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system.

Chaired by Geoff Barton CBE, former teacher, headteacher and general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), the taskforce brings together leaders from education, policy, and politics — alongside parents — to confront a system now at breaking point.

The full membership is:

Geoff Barton CBE - former teacher, headteacher and general secretary of ASCL
Baroness Morgan of Cote - former Secretary of State for Education
Baroness Anne Longfield OBE - executive chair & founder of the Centre for Young Lives, and former Children's Commissioner for England
Jonny Uttley - CEO of the Education Alliance Multi-Academy Trust
Leora Cruddas CBE - founding chief executive of the Confederation of School Trusts
Wasim Butt - national director at Ormiston Academies Trust
Hilary Spencer - CEO of Ambition Institute
Margaret Mullholland - SEND specialist at ASCL and advisor to the UK government
Susan Tranter - chief executive of EdAct Trust
John Pearce - former President of the Association of Directors of Children’s Services (ADCS)
Chris Paterson - acting co-CEO at the Education Endowment Foundation
Sarah Clarke and Jo Harrison – parents and co-chairs of the National Network of Parent and Carer Forums

The taskforce will address urgent challenges in the SEND system, including long delays in assessment, patchy provision, and consistently poor outcomes for children with additional needs.

By gathering evidence from children, families, educators, local authorities, and support professionals, the taskforce will develop a robust set of principles for education reform. Its final recommendations will be published in autumn, providing independent insights to help shape the government’s forthcoming SEND reforms.

As part of the Inclusion Taskforce’s work, Geoff Barton CBE will host two podcasts each week, delving into the challenges and opportunities for reform in England’s SEND system. He will speak to parents, practitioners, and policymakers, sharing their experiences, insights, and ideas for change. These conversations will give a platform to the voices that matter most, helping to shape the taskforce’s vision for a more inclusive education system.

The Inclusion Taskforce will also hear evidence from expert panels of educators, families, and other professionals working in the system.

Geoff Barton, chair of the IPPR Inclusion Taskforce, said:

“The current SEND system is letting down far too many children, their families, and the professionals working tirelessly to support them. This taskforce brings together people with the expertise, lived experience, and determination to imagine a system that works for everyone — and to set out a practical plan to get there. It will be supported by a suite of podcast conversations designed to illuminate many key aspects of how we make our education system genuinely work for every child and young person from every background.”

Professor Ashwin Kumar, director of research and policy at IPPR, said:

“Fixing the SEND system is not only a moral imperative, it’s essential for our country’s future. Too many children are being denied the support they need to thrive, and the cost of inaction is measured in wasted potential and growing inequality. This taskforce will bring together the evidence, expertise and lived experience needed to set out a credible plan for change.”

ENDS

Geoff Barton and other taskforce members may be available for interview upon request

CONTACT

Liam Evans, head of news and media: 07419 365 334 l.evans@ippr.org

Rosie Okumbe, digital and media officer: 07825 185421 r.okumbe@ippr.org

NOTES TO EDITORS

IPPR announced the Inclusion Taskforce in late July 2025: https://www.ippr.org/articles/ippr-inclusion-taskforce
IPPR (the Institute for Public Policy Research) is the UK’s most influential think tank, with alumni in Downing Street, the cabinet and parliament. We are the practical ideas factory behind many of the current government’s flagship policies, including changes to fiscal rules, the creation of a National Wealth Fund, GB Energy, devolution, and reforms to the NHS. As an independent charity working towards a fairer, greener, and more prosperous society, we have spent almost 40 years creating tangible progressive change - turning bold ideas into common sense realities. www.ippr.org