Principals warn 'catch-all' special schools will push pupils back into mainstream classes   

The Department of Education told schools last week of plans aimed at resolving issues with the special education application system. File picture

Plans to develop ‘catch-all’ special schools will push students who have mild and general learning disabilities back to mainstream classes “that have already failed them”, principals have warned.

The school leaders, who oversee 30 special schools in 19 counties, serving more than 3,000 students, say they face growing pressure from the Department of Education to change their schools’ current designation to include children with 'complex needs’.