National data on SEN

Find out the most recent national data on the proportion of pupils with special educational needs (SEN), based on the January 2022 census.

Last reviewed on 13 October 2022
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 2862
Contents
  1. Overall proportion of pupils with SEN
  2. Primary school pupils with SEN
  3. Secondary school pupils with SEN
  4. Types of need
  5. Gender
  6. FSM eligibility

This data is taken from the DfE’s data tables on SEN, based on the January 2022 census data.

Overall proportion of pupils with SEN

Of all pupils in England in January 2022:

  • 12.6% had special educational needs (SEN) support, but didn't have an education, health and care (EHC) plan (up from 12.2% in 2021)
  • 4.0% had an EHC plan (up from 3.7% in 2021)  

Primary school pupils with SEN

At state-funded primary schools (including academies) in January 2022:

  • 13.0% of pupils were classed as having SEN, but didn't have an EHC plan
  • 2.3% of pupils had an EHC plan

Secondary school pupils with SEN

At state-funded secondary schools (including academies) in January 2022:

  • 11.9% of pupils were classed as having SEN, but didn't have an EHC plan
  • 2.2% of pupils had an EHC plan

Speech, language and communication needs were the most common primary type of need for those with SEN support, applying to

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