CAMPAIGNERS marched through the town centre to make a stand against the school funding crisis.

The charity SEND National Crisis believes a lack of funding in schools is heavily impacting children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

As well as campaigning for more funding to meet SEND children’s needs, the charity is asking for one consistent SEND process across all local authorities.

A march took place through Colchester town centre yesterday and the campaigners made their voices heard.

Louise Richards, Colchester march co-ordinator, said there are many parents and carers battling an “unfair system”.

She said: “It went amazingly well, there was about 50 or 60 people there.

“The speeches were well-accepted and everyone got their messages across.

“It was really lovely to see everyone working together.”

EHCPs are issued to children with special educational needs to keep track of their progress and make sure they get the right support at school.

Louise said funds given to support children with SEND are not ring-fenced due to the overall lack of funding in schools.

She added: “This march was happening at the same time across the country and we are all hoping this is the start of real change.

“We just wanted to show solidarity to everyone.

“Brothers and sisters of children with SEND came out to march with us, some of them couldn’t make it because of their needs.”

A petition was circulating in London at the same time as the marches.

The charity’s aim is for the SEND legislation to be reassessed with parents in mind.

The charity is asking for parents to be included on independent panels to ensure lawful and ethical practices by local authorities.

The march started at Colchester Baptist Church in Eld Lane and finished at Castle Park.

Guest speakers included the former president of the National Education Union Louise Regan and Jenny Jackson from Autism Anglia.