Recent research by an independent charity points to the potential pressures on schools in England as they prepare for the changes ahead.
The NFER workforce reports, external suggest while progress is being made in recruiting and keeping teachers, a growing proportion of teaching assistants are leaving their jobs in schools.
It estimates that around one in five support staff left the school system between 2023/24 and 2024/25.
Teaching assistants in particular play an important role in providing more individual support in classrooms for children with special educational needs.
In response to the NEU, the DfE said it was backing schools with its £4bn investment, and that it was “fiercely ambitious for every single child”.
It is currently consulting on the proposals, and said it wants parents and schools to share their views.
The impact of the proposed reforms will be one of the main subjects of debate as union members gather for their annual conference.
There is a political edge too, with the leader of the Green Party, Zack Polanski, due to speak to teachers and support staff at the NEU conference on Monday.
Kebede said Polanski was now “the most favoured politician amongst our members”, and described that as a “wake up call” for the Labour government.
The union is consulting its members over potential industrial action over pay, to gauge the appetite before committing to a formal ballot.
In the meantime, on ministers’ desks is the report from the independent body which reviews teachers’ pay, which will help shape the pay offer for the next year or two.