The number of pupils with additional support needs in Scottish schools is likely to rise again when new figures are published in December. Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth (SNP) said the current rate of 40.5 per cent recorded in 2024 will probably increase further.
Statistics released last year showed a significant jump from 36.7 per cent the previous year. Speaking at a fringe meeting hosted by the NASUWT teaching union at the SNP conference in Aberdeen, Gilruth said Scotland has "a really broad measurement in terms of additional support".
Poverty impact on pupils
Children are being affected by poverty "before they even cross the school gates", Gilruth told the meeting. She expressed being "astonished" by the number of schools operating food banks and clothing banks for families.
"The normalisation of poverty in our schools horrifies me," she said. "Food banks, clothing banks are normal features in everyday schools in Scotland in 2025 - an energy rich Scotland, that is completely unacceptable."
Teacher workload concerns
Gilruth's appearance came less than 24 hours after teachers in the EIS union were balloted on strike action over workload issues. She said she was "very supportive" of moves to reduce class contact time for teachers and that the government was "doing a lot of heavy lifting" to resolve the situation.
Mike Corbett, NASUWT's national official for Scotland, outlined his union's demands for the next Scottish government. These include pay increases for teachers and ensuring "sufficient numbers" of teaching staff are available.
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
