Christopher Fraser, MP for South West Norfolk, is a key sponsor of a Private Member’s Bill that seeks to improve the welfare of children with specific learning difficulties. Christopher Fraser, who is Secretary of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dyslexia and Specific Learning Difficulties, spoke in the Commons in support of the Special Educational Needs (Information) Bill.
Speaking after the Bill’s Second Reading, Christopher Fraser said: “I am delighted to sponsor this Bill. If successful, it will represent an important first step in improving the education of children with learning difficulties. If the right inclusion strategies are followed, children with special educational needs can lead fulfilling and accomplished lives within mainstream schools but it is vital that Local Education Authorities have the data they need to achieve this.
“I am pleased that the Bill has received extensive cross-party support; this reflects a general agreement that the mandatory gathering of SEN information in a way that promotes transparency would be hugely useful as a planning tool.
I used my speech as an opportunity to commend Norfolk County Council, which has started to collect such data entirely of its own accord, precisely because of this reason. It is most encouraging to see Norfolk leading the way on this issue.
The Minister accepted the points that I made, including those relating to the importance of expanding SEN in Initial Teacher Training. Now the Bill goes to Committee and I strongly urge the Government to continue support for this Bill so that provision for children with SEN can be improved and delivered in line with their very specific needs.”
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