IRIS and PAGS join forces to improve SEN support in UK schools

Global tech provider, IRIS Software Group has announced a partnership with PAGS, a specialist in special education technology. 

The collaboration aims to improve the management of Special Educational Needs (SEN) and neurodiversity in schools across England.

Through this partnership, PAGS' technology will be integrated into IRIS' Ed and iSAMS platforms. Currently, over 1,600 educational institutions use these School Management Information Systems (MIS), which will now have improved tools for managing the assessment, development, and support of SEN pupils.

The integration of PAGS' technology into IRIS platforms will automate data transfer, reducing the time Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCOs) spend on administrative tasks when creating personalised plans and assessments.

Simon Freeman, Managing Director for Education at IRIS, commented on the challenges faced by children with special educational needs: 

"Children with special educational needs and disabilities face significant challenges, including an estimated 25% of autistic children having a higher likelihood of struggling with school attendance and students with ADHD having GPAs that are, on average, lower than their neurotypical peers."

The partnership also aims to streamline applications for high-needs government funding, which typically requires extensive evidence gathering and takes an average of 20 weeks.

 PAGS will support this process by automatically extracting necessary information from IRIS platforms, thereby reducing the administrative burden on SENCOs.

"PAGS is a natural partner for IRIS; we both invest in solutions that foster inclusive education and prioritise pupil wellbeing. By working together, we can help educators reduce the time spent on manual data entry in spreadsheets and give them more data at their disposal to create impactful strategies to drive better outcomes for pupils. This support will be especially valuable for schools facing SEND budget constraints," Freeman added.

Feliciea Jibson, CEO of PAGS Assessment & Provision, shared her perspective:

 "Joining forces with IRIS will empower us to deliver an unprecedented level of support and efficiency to schools. Our combined expertise will ensure that both administrative processes and student support are handled with outstanding proficiency, ultimately leading to better educational outcomes."