Scottish National Party (SNP) ministers are under increasing pressure to initiate an independent investigation into the significant rise in students identified with additional support needs (ASN) in Scotland’s schools. The number of pupils receiving additional support for learning has skyrocketed from fewer than 33,000 in 2004 to over 284,000 in 2024. This growth represents an almost nine-fold increase and now accounts for more than 40 percent of the total school population.
Concerns Over Educational Capacity
The Commission on School Reform (CSR), an education-focused arm of the think tank Enlighten, formerly known as Reform Scotland, described this situation as “unsustainable.” Frank Lennon, a former headteacher and CSR member, emphasized that the current approach to managing ASN, instituted by the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act of 2004, needs critical evaluation. He noted, “The vastly increased demand for ASN is creating the single biggest post-pandemic pressure in Scottish schools, and the Government must now address it as a matter of great urgency.”
The legislation broadened the definition of ‘special’ educational needs to encompass any pupil requiring ‘additional’ support without necessitating a formal diagnosis. Most of this additional learning support is provided within mainstream classes, which has placed tremendous strain on schools.
The CSR has called for the establishment of an independent expert committee to assess the reasons behind the surge in ASN numbers. They suggest that this investigation should explore whether the rise is driven by increased parental pressure, changes in diagnostic criteria, or a genuine rise in need. Additionally, it should evaluate the effectiveness of current educational approaches for students with ASN and their impact on other learners.
The committee’s analysis should also include the ramifications of the presumption of mainstreaming and the fairness of examination arrangements. The number of pupils requiring assessment accommodations, such as extended time or separate spaces, has risen sharply from 62,505 in 2019 to approximately 104,695 in 2024.
Calls for Action and Accountability
Lennon further pointed out the acute situation in primary schools. He observed that there is a lack of structured roles dedicated to pastoral care, leaving class teachers to shoulder much of the responsibility. Senior leaders often find themselves dedicating significant time to pastoral support. “A huge and increasing proportion of time, energy, expertise, and resources in schools is spent on pastoral issues, such as attendance, behaviour, and additional support needs,” he stated.
Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs echoed these concerns, asserting that the dramatic rise in students with ASN is placing intolerable strain on the educational system. “It’s the duty of SNP ministers to examine the causes of it and the best solutions for all pupils,” he stated. He criticized the SNP for failing to provide adequate training and support for teachers, which he believes exacerbates the challenges faced by both educators and students.
Briggs pointed out that previous education secretaries, including Jenny Gilruth, have not sufficiently investigated the reasons behind the dramatic increase in students identified as needing additional support. He emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive review of how mainstreaming is implemented and called for urgent scrutiny of the current ASN approach to avoid stagnation in educational policy.
In response to these concerns, a spokesperson for the Scottish Government highlighted that they have taken steps to review and improve ASN provision since 2004. They referenced a review conducted by Angela Morgan in 2020 that assessed the implementation of the Education (Additional Support for Learning) (Scotland) Act. This led to the creation of the ASN action plan, which aims to enhance learning opportunities for educators and establish parent support groups.
The Scottish Government has allocated an additional £28 million this year to bolster the ASN workforce, building on a record expenditure exceeding £1 billion by local authorities for ASN in 2023-24. They assert that there is broad consensus on the importance of inclusive education in Scotland, while also acknowledging that some children may benefit more from special schools or specialist units.
The rise in ASN students since 2004, according to government officials, has been partly fueled by increased awareness and identification of additional support needs, a development they view positively. They also noted changes in how ASN statistics have been collected since 2010, which now account for various categories of support provided to pupils.
As discussions continue, the demand for a thorough investigation into the factors contributing to the surge in ASN students will likely remain at the forefront of educational policy debates in Scotland.
