The Crisis

The plight of our children with learning difficulties, special educational needs* or emotional and behavioural problems in our mainstream schools is really very serious. And it is a plight that is not well-understood.

You can see some shocking statistics below or download our factsheet.
1.7 million children (21%) in the UK are classed as having Special Educational Needs (SEN) : These include Autism, Dyspraxia, ADHD, Dyslexia and other learning difficulties.*

56% of these children are in mainstream schools. Many are sidelined and simply not given the opportunity to show what they CAN do.*
  • Young people with Statements of Special Educational Needs are 5 times more likely to be in the Youth Justice System each year.**
  • Pupils with Statements of Special Educational Needs are 4 times more likely to be persistent absentees from school than those without.***
  • The Prison Reform Trust estimates that up to 75% of young offenders have Special Educational Needs.****
  •  70% of permanent exclusions from school are of children with Special Educational Needs.*****
Pupil Surveys tell us that children with Special Educational Needs in mainstream schools :
  • Find it harder to have good relationships
  • Are more likely to be bullied
  • Are more likely to be pulled into the drug world
  • Are more likely to end up without a job
  • Are a major cause of class disruption

Help us to give them a better life than this..

References:
* Special Educational Needs in England, DCFS: June 2009
** Select Committee on Education and Skills Third Report: 2006
*** Children with Special Educational Needs 2009: An Analysis, DCFS : October 2009
**** Children & Young People Now – Press Release: 2 March 2010
***** The Report of the LAMB INQUIRY: December 2009