CHARITIES have raised concerns about mainstream tuition for pupils with additional support needs (ASN) as specialist provision falls despite rising demand.
According to Scottish Government figures, the number of youngsters with ASN – which include those growing up in care, children with health and disability factors, social and emotional issues or English as an additional language – has grown by more than 81,000 since 2012.
As many as 97% of young people with ASN receive mainstream schooling.
However, the number of specialist teachers has fallen by 400 over that period, with overall spending per pupil also slipping by £900.
Education Secretary John Swinney says the number of staff in schools “who have a role in supporting” pupils with ASN has increased by more than 1000 in the last year to more than 14,500. These include home-school link workers, school nurses and pupil support assistants.
However, the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) has raised concerns, stating: “It is vital that those with ASN get the care and support they need, which is also key if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap. This is clearly challenging in an environment of austerity and evidence of cuts in spending per pupil with ASN and in the number of specialist teachers supporting this group and in key support staff categories.
“While we also support the presumption of mainstreaming, that all children and young people be educated in a mainstream educational environment unless exceptional circumstances apply, it is clearly difficult to see how this is functioning properly for all those with ASN given this fall in specialist support and increase in the number of those identified with conditions such as autism and mental health problems.”
The number of teachers in Scottish schools went up by 550 to 51,150 last year, Scottish Government figures show, despite regional variations that left Glasgow with the largest rise and Dumfries and Galloway with the biggest drop.
And despite Holyrood “aspirations” of reducing class sizes for youngsters in primary one to three to 18, more than a quarter of those in these age groups are now in classes of at least 26.
LibDem education spokesperson Tavish Scott said this would “make it harder to close the attainment gap” and that lack of resources for those with ASN is “impacting on schools’ ability to meet all learners’ needs and in turn setting up a whole generation to fail”.
However, Swinney stated: “All children and young people should get the support they need to reach their full potential.
“While all teachers work with pupils with additional support needs, I welcome the increase in specialist staff which shows education authorities are continuing to invest in having the right support, in the right place, to meet young peoples’ needs.
“The latest data also shows that, overall, teacher numbers in Scottish schools are at their highest since 2010, with primary teacher numbers at the highest level since 1980.”
He went on: “Reform remains at the heart of the Scottish Government’s plan to improve education and we will continue to work in partnership with all the relevant professional bodies to address issues surrounding provision for pupils with additional support needs. It is essential that every child learns in the most appropriate environment for their individual needs.
“Scotland’s pupils are learning in better facilities than ever before, with 87% of schools across Scotland in good or satisfactory condition in 2018.”
The figures come after industrial action was called off by the country’s biggest teaching union after a new pay deal was reached. Staff will receive a 13.5% rise over three years.
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