More than 20% of pupils in England have special educational needs, official data shows
New figures from the Department for Education (DfE) reveal that over one in five pupils in England now have special educational needs (SEN), highlighting growing demand for support in schools. The data shows a sharp rise in the number of children receiving extra help, putting pressure on schools, families, and local authorities.
Key developments
The latest annual statistics confirm a significant increase in children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), which are formal agreements detailing the extra support a child requires. The number of pupils with EHCPs rose by 11.6% compared to the previous year, adding 58,000 children to reach a record total of 538,500. This means that 6% of all schoolchildren currently have an active EHCP.
In addition, there was a 3% rise in pupils identified as having special educational needs and receiving support without an EHCP, bringing that number to nearly 1.4 million. Combining these groups shows that 21% of all pupils in England are considered to have special educational needs in some form.
Pressure on schools and families
Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT), said the figures reflect the struggles faced by children and families trying to access help. He noted that many schools lack the funding, staff, space, and specialist resources needed to meet the rising demand.
Rob Williams, a senior policy adviser at NAHT, added that mainstream schools have often created their own specialist units to support pupils with SEN, demonstrating a commitment to inclusion. However, he warned that this approach is not sustainable without adequate resources.
Government response and future plans
A Department for Education spokesperson acknowledged the challenges revealed by the data, describing the SEND system as being under “immense strain” with record numbers of EHCPs, many of which are for disadvantaged children. The government is investing over £4 billion to improve specialist support in schools, train teachers, and provide mainstream schools with the expertise and resources needed to support children earlier and more effectively.
The government’s SEND white paper proposes changes that would reduce the number of pupils receiving EHCPs by introducing “individual support plans” agreed between parents and schools. However, no changes to EHCP support will be made before September 2030. Meanwhile, local authorities will continue to face rising costs associated with supporting children with special needs.
Social impact
Harriet Edwards, director of the disability charity Sense, described the figures as an urgent wake-up call. She emphasized that the rising number of disabled children needing specialist support is not being met adequately by the current education system, leaving many children without the help they need to succeed.
The data also shows that boys account for more than two-thirds of children with EHCPs, although the number of girls with EHCPs is increasing more rapidly. Autism is the most common condition among children with EHCPs, affecting one in three, while over one in five have speech, language, and communication needs.
Why this matters
The rise in pupils with special educational needs highlights the increasing demand for tailored support within the education system. Schools and local authorities are under growing pressure to provide adequate resources and specialist services. Without sufficient funding and planning, many children risk missing out on the support they require to thrive academically and socially. The government’s planned reforms aim to address these challenges, but the current strain on the SEND system remains significant.
Recommended reading
For more context, see related Peack News coverage and explainers linked below.
