The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF)

The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is an independent charity dedicated to improving educational outcomes - especially for disadvantaged learners - by providing schools with robust, accessible, evidence-based guidance.

A major strand of its work focuses on SEND, recognising that pupils with SEND have the greatest need for excellent teaching and often face the widest attainment gaps.

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Why this research matters now

Recent surveys show that most teachers feel underprepared to support SEND learners, and demand for SEND provision has sharply increased post pandemic. For example, only 10 to 15% of teachers report feeling confident supporting SEMH needs, and SEND is the most requested area for CPD. This reinforces the need for high quality, accessible guidance such as the EEF’s recommendations.

The number of pupils identified with SEND continues to rise, with around 1.7 million pupils identified in England in 2024, increasing pressure on schools and local systems. The EEF’s research offers a practical framework to address this need through best practice, not quick fixes.

Their research emphasises that inclusive schools thrive when they:

create supportive, high expectation environments
deeply understand individual pupils
prioritise high quality, evidence informed teaching
use targeted interventions thoughtfully
deploy TAs strategically and effectively

Together, these approaches form a coherent, actionable blueprint for improving outcomes for learners with SEND, rooted firmly in the strongest available evidence.