SEN in England: Numbers Continue to Climb, Reforms Take Centre Stage

The Department for Education has today published its official statistics on Special Educational Needs (SEN) in England for the 2024/25 academic year, revealing a sustained and substantial rise in pupils requiring support.

Key Facts and Figures from the SEN Report

• Over 1.7 million pupils are now identified as having SEN, an increase of 93,700 (5.6%) since 2024.
• EHC plans, which offer the highest level of statutory support, now apply to 5.3% of pupils (483,000 students), up from 4.8% in 2024 and more than double since 2016.
• SEN support (non-statutory assistance) now covers 14.2% of pupils, an increase from 13.6% last year.

Changing Needs and Persistent Gaps

• Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) remains the most common primary need among those with EHC plans (33.6%), while Speech, Language & Communication Needs (SLCN) dominate among pupils on SEN support (25.7%).
• SEN prevalence peaks around age 9, then gradually declines through secondary school ages.
• There is a consistent gender disparity: 71% of pupils with EHC plans are boys, and 61% in SEN support.
• Socioeconomic inequalities persist: 43.8% of pupils with EHC plans and 39.3% on SEN support are eligible for free school meals, compared to 22.2% of pupils without SEN.

SEN Across School Settings

• Primary and secondary schools have seen SEN rates increase to 18.2% and 16.5%, respectively.
• In Alternative Provision settings, a sector for pupils unable to attend mainstream schools, over 83% of pupils now register as having SEN.
• Notably, 18.8% of nursery pupils and 24.1% of those in independent schools also present SEN needs.
• The share of pupils with EHC plans in mainstream schools continues to rise, now accounting for 56.2% of all EHCP holders, up from 54.4% in 2024.

System Under Strain: Funding, Reform, and Capacity

• These trends align with a broader increase in demand: EHC plans have more than doubled since 2016, while SEN support has risen by nearly 30%.
• National Audit Office warnings in late 2024 flagged the SEN system as "financially unsustainable", despite a combined £10.7 billion allocated in 2024–25.
• In response, the government pledged extra capital funding, £740 million, to create 10,000 new SEND places, both in special schools and mainstream settings.
• Critics from both the FT and The Guardian argue the system remains under strain, calling for clearer early‑intervention strategies and sustained investment in mainstream environments.

What It Means for Families and Schools

1. Growing demand = systemic pressure - With SEN pupils now almost one in five across certain phases, schools face mounting pressure to deliver personalised learning and support.
2. Funding challenges remain - Rising numbers of EHC plans and SEN support leave local authorities juggling stretched high-needs budgets and capacity limits. Even with new investment, many experts argue reform must go hand in hand with resources
3. Mainstream inclusion is rising, but unevenly - While over half of pupils with EHC plans attend mainstream settings, delivering specialised support within these schools requires skilled staff, tailored facilities, and local frameworks.
4. Equity concerns hold - Boys, younger pupils, and those from lower-income families or certain ethnic groups remain disproportionately represented within SEN statistics—a persistent policy challenge.

The DfE’s latest SEN figures confirm what many practitioners already know: demand is growing rapidly. While this reflects increased awareness and diagnosis, it also raises crucial questions around funding, early intervention, and equitable access. Although £740 million of provision expansion is welcome, long-term success hinges on sustainable investment, better-targeted support, and durable systemic reform.