Number of children in Scotland with additional support needs hits record high

A children’s coalition has said the situation in Scotland’s schools is “unsustainable” as the number of pupils identified with additional support needs (ASN) has hit a record high.

The Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC) said thousands of children are being “let down” as statistics showed the number of pupils with ASN, such as autism, dyslexia and mental health problems, reached a record high of 299,445 in 2025.

The figure represents 43.0% of the pupil population, and the number has more than doubled over the past decade from 153,143 in 2015, when it represented 22.5% of the pupil population.

The figures were released on Tuesday in the Scottish Government’s annual census of pupils and teachers in publicly funded schools.

The SCSC said the situation is “unsustainable” and has called for increased resourcing to address the growing number of children requiring ASN, which they say is driving surging levels of classroom disruption and violence.

A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “While more children and young people are being identified as having ASN – now at a record high – this is against the increasingly challenging backdrop of a lack of teachers, including specialist teachers, support staff, and the resources needed to support them.

“The current situation is unsustainable and is not only letting down thousands of children and young people, but also their fellow pupils, teachers and support staff.

“Increased support is critical, especially post-Covid-19, when the pandemic has had a damaging impact on many of our children and young people, exacerbated by the cost-of-living crisis, all of which is hitting the poorest hardest.”

The rise in the number of pupils with ASN comes after a decline in the number of specialist schools, which has fallen from 144 in 2015 to 107 in 2025.

The organisation is calling for an increase in the number of teachers, specialist teachers, pupil support assistants, mental health professionals and educational psychologists.

Further statistics on exclusion rates indicate that per 1,000 pupils, the exclusion rate for pupils with ASN was 28.9 in 2024-25, almost five times the rate for pupils without ASN.

The SCSC spokesperson continued: “A decline in the number of special schools is also worrying, putting increased pressure on the mainstream sector, with many of those with ASN more suited to a special school environment.

“With those with ASN drawn disproportionately from poorer neighbourhoods and exhibiting higher exclusion rates, if we are to genuinely close the educational attainment gap, these children and young people must get the care and support they need when they need it.”

The Scottish Government has been approached for comment.