This is the second in our series of UK SEND statistics as we look into the numbers, stats and figures across many categories of SEND and how it has improved or declined.
Main source: https://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/support-for-children-and-young-people-with-special-educational-needs.pdf
Education Settings for Pupils with EHCPs
In 2023 53% of pupils with EHCPs were in state mainstream schools
In 2024 55% of pupils with EHCPs were in state mainstream schools
In 2023 38% of pupils with EHCPs were in state special schools
In 2024 36% of pupils with EHCPs were in state special schools
In 2023 8% of pupils with EHCPs were in independent schools
In 2024 9% of pupils with EHCPs were in independent schools
In 2023 1% of pupils with ECHPs were receiving state AP
In 2024 1% of pupils with ECHPs were receiving state AP
Education Settings for Pupils with EHCPs
Across Mainstream, State Special Schools, Independent Schools & Receiving Alternative Provision
Number and percentage of pupils by SEN provision and school type, in England between 2022/23 and 2023/24
State-funded Nursery with EHC Plans
In 2023 – 1.8%
In 2024 – 2.3%
State-funded Nursery with SEN support/SEN without an EHC plan
In 2023 – 17.0%
In 2024 – 17.2%
State-funded Nursery Headcount
In 2023 – 37,496
In 2024 – 36,726
State-funded primary with EHC plans
In 2023 – 2.5%
In 2024 – 3.0%
State-funded primary SEN support/SEN without an EHC plan
In 2023 – 13.5%
In 2024 – 14.1%
State-funded primary Headcount
In 2023 – 4,647,851
In 2024 – 4,614,990
State-funded secondary with EHC plans
In 2023 – 2.4%
In 2024 – 2.7%
State-funded secondary SEN support/SEN without an EHC plan
In 2023 – 12.4%
In 2024 – 12.9%
State-funded secondary Headcount
In 2023 – 3,630,171
In 2024 – 3,669,933
State-funded special school with EHC plans
In 2023 – 98.9%
In 2024 – 99.2%
Percentage of pupils with SEN, by type of SEN provision, all schools
- Those with SEN support/SEN without an EHC plan (%) in 2023 – 13.0%
- Those with SEN support/SEN without an EHC plan (%) in 2024 – 13.6%
- Those with an EHC plan (%) in 2023 – 4.3%
- Those with an EHC plan (%) in 2024 – 4.8%
Percentage of pupils with SEN, by type of SEN provision, all schools
2023 & 2024
