A NEW system of grading schoolchildren with special educational needs (SEN) has been introduced by Bury Council.

The criteria has had to be changed following rulings that education authorities should only provide statements for those pupils whose SENs are severe, lifelong and complex.

For other pupils with less severe needs, support will be provided on a graduated and appropriate level of response delivered through School Action Plus.

Children who are currently statemented for having moderate or specific learning difficulties will be most affected as they do not meet the revised criteria.

However, their schools will have an increase in funding for supporting pupils at School Action Plus and will also have more flexibility in how the money is spent

Other advantages include a cut in paperwork, and pupils with less severe learning difficulties no longer having to endure the long wait which currently accompanies application for assessment and the provision of a statement.

In addition it means Central Pupil Services staff will be able to focus on the smaller number of statements and process them more quickly.

Bury Council's executive committee has approved the revised SEN criteria.