NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said: “Austerity measures since 2010 have led to this situation.

“There has been a lack of investment in special needs, a rise in child poverty levels and an increasingly narrow curriculum that does not engage swathes of young people. 

“What is urgently needed is investment in schools, staffing and specialist provision so that all [special educational] needs can be met and supported quickly, and increased pastoral and behaviour teams can support the young people who need it.”