Primary school students sitting in a classroom being taught by a teacher in the North East of England. The students are answering questions with their arms in the air, the focus being on their arms.

The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce

The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce

The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce is dedicated to fixing England’s failing special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) system — a system now at breaking point. 

Chaired by Geoff Barton, former general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, the taskforce brings together experts, practitioners, and the voices of families to develop a clear roadmap for change.

With six children in every classroom now identified as having additional needs, and the number of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) doubling in the last decade, urgent reform is essential. The taskforce will gather evidence from across the country — from children, parents, schools, colleges, local authorities, and support professionals — to identify practical solutions to persistent challenges, from assessment delays to patchy provision and poor outcomes.

Our work will culminate in a set of robust principles for reform, offering an ambitious yet achievable vision for an inclusive education system that works for every child. Findings will be published in autumn 2025, providing independent insights to help shape the government’s forthcoming SEND reforms.

A primary school classroom. In the foreground are pots of pencils and rulers and water bottles. Children in blue school uniform are blurred in the background

The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce

Read our blog announcing the launch of the taskforce

Talking inclusion... podcast

Listen to the first episode of our podcast hosted by Geoff Barton, chair of the taskforce, featuring conversations with parents, teachers, young people, and experts from across the UK. You can also listen to it on Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Taskforce members

  • Geoff Barton CBE

    Chair of the IPPR Inclusion Taskforce, former teacher, headteacher and general secretary of ASCL

  • Baroness Anne Longfield OBE

    Executive chair and founder of the Centre for Young Lives, and former Children's Commissioner for England

  • Baroness Morgan of Cotes (Nicky Morgan)

    Former secretary of state for education

  • Jonny Uttley

    Chief executive officer 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

    Chief executive officer of Ambition Institute

  • Margaret Mulholland

    Policy lead for SEND and inclusion at the Association of School and College Leaders

  • Chris Paterson

    Acting co-CEO at the Education Endowment Foundation and deputy chair of the board at Ofqual

  • Jo Harrison

    Parent and co-chair of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums

  • Sarah Clarke

    Parent and co-chair of the National Network of Parent Carer Forums

  • Susan Tranter

    Chief executive of EdAct trust and a member of the Child Safeguarding Practice Review Panel

  • John Pearce

    Corporate director of children’s services for Durham County Council and a former president of the Association of Directors Children’s Services

Further content for The IPPR Inclusion Taskforce