Academic year 2024/25

Special educational needs in England

Data guidance

Published

Description

This document describes the data included in the ‘Special educational needs in England’ National Statistics release’s underlying data files. This data is released under the terms of the Open Government License (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab) and is intended to meet at least 3 stars for Open Data (opens in a new tab) (opens in a new tab).

The publication methodology, available on the publication report, should be referenced alongside this data. It provides information on the data sources, their coverage and quality as well as explaining methodology used in producing the data.

Coverage

This release provides information on the number of schools and pupils in:

  • state-funded primary schools
  • state-funded secondary schools
  • state-funded special schools
  • non-maintained special schools
  • state-funded alternative provision schools (includes pupil referral units, alternative provision academies and free schools)
  • independent schools

It includes information on:

  • pupil numbers, including, SEN provision, SEN type of need, sex, ethnicity, language and free school meals eligibility
  • school numbers, including resourced provision, SEN units and approved provisions (special schools only) 

The information is based on data collected via the pupil level spring school census, school level annual school census, general hospital schools census and alternative provision census.

File formats and conventions

This dataset has not had suppression applied.

The following convention is used throughout the underlying data. 

‘x’ Not applicable

‘z’ Not available

Data files

All data files associated with this releases are listed below with guidance on their content. To download any of these files, please visit our data catalogue.

Age and Gender, by type of SEN provision and type of need - 2016 to 2025

Filename
sen_age_sex_new_.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2015/16 to 2024/25
Content
Number of pupils in state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and AP schools by SEN provision, type of need, age and sex.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
age_10Age 10
age_10_percentAge 10 percent
age_11Age 11
age_11_percentAge 11 percent
age_12Age 12
age_12_percentAge 12 percent
age_13Age 13
age_13_percentAge 13 percent
age_14Age 14
age_14_percentAge 14 percent
age_15Age 15
age_15_percentAge 15 percent
age_16Age 16
age_16_percentAge 16 percent
age_17Age 17
age_17_percentAge 17 percent
age_18Age 18
age_18_percentAge 18 percent
age_19_and_overAge 19 and over
age_19_and_over_percentAge 19 and over percent
age_2_and_underAge 2 and over
age_2_and_under_percentAge 2 and under percent
age_3Age 3
age_3_percentAge 3 percent
age_4Age 4
age_4_percentAge 4 percent
age_5Age 5
age_5_percentAge 5 percent
age_6Age 6
age_6_percentAge 6 percent
age_7Age 7
age_7_percentAge 7 percent
age_8Age 8
age_8_percentAge 8 percent
age_9Age 9
age_9_percentAge 9 percent
female_age_10Female age 10
female_age_11Female age 11
female_age_12Female age 12
female_age_13Female age 13
female_age_14Female age 14
female_age_15Female age 15
female_age_16Female age 16
female_age_17Female age 17
female_age_18Female age 18
female_age_19_and_overFemale age 19 and over
female_age_2_and_underFemale age 2 and under
female_age_3_lowerFemale age 3 lower
female_age_3_middleFemale age 3 middle
female_age_3_upperFemale age 3 upper
female_age_4_lowerFemale age 4 lower
female_age_4_middleFemale age 4 middle
female_age_4_upperFemale age 4 upper
female_age_5Female age 5
female_age_6Female age 6
female_age_7Female age 7
female_age_8Female age 8
female_age_9Female age 9
male_age_10Male age 10
male_age_11Male age 11
male_age_12Male age 12
male_age_13Male age 13
male_age_14Male age 14
male_age_15Male age 15
male_age_16Male age 16
male_age_17Male age 17
male_age_18Male age 18
male_age_19_and_overMale age 19 and over
male_age_2_and_underMale age 2 and under
male_age_3_lowerMale age 3 lower
male_age_3_middleMale age 3 middle
male_age_3_upperMale age 3 upper
male_age_4_lowerMale age 4 lower
male_age_4_middleMale age 4 middle
male_age_4_upperMale age 4 upper
male_age_5Male age 5
male_age_6Male age 6
male_age_7Male age 7
male_age_8Male age 8
male_age_9Male age 9
number_of_pupilsHeadcount
phase_type_groupingPhase type of school - Phase (primary, secondary, special, PRU, independent)
pupil_sex_femaleFemale
pupil_sex_female_percentFemale (%)
pupil_sex_maleMale
pupil_sex_male_percentMale (%)
sen_primary_needPrimary type of need - (ASD, HI, VI…)
sen_statusSEN provision - EHC plan/Statement of SEN or SEN support or No SEN
Footnotes
  1. EHC plans also includes statements of SEN. Statements were phased out from 2014 to 2018
  2. Includes state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and state-funded alternative provision schools. Does not include independent schools.
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FSM, Ethnicity and Language, by type of SEN provision and type of need - 2016 to 2025

Filename
sen_fsm_eth_lang_new_.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2015/16 to 2024/25
Content
Number of pupils in state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and AP schools by SEN provision, type of need, free school meal eligibility, language and ethnicity.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ethnicity_any_other_asian_backgroundAsian - any other Asian background
ethnicity_any_other_asian_background_percentAsian - any other Asian background (%)
ethnicity_any_other_black_backgroundBlack - Any other Black background
ethnicity_any_other_black_background_percentBlack - Any other Black background (%)
ethnicity_any_other_ethnic_groupAny other ethnic group
ethnicity_any_other_ethnic_group_percentAny other ethnic group (%)
ethnicity_any_other_mixed_backgroundMixed - Any other mixed background
ethnicity_any_other_mixed_background_percentMixed - Any other mixed background (%)
ethnicity_any_other_white_backgroundWhite - any other White background
ethnicity_any_other_white_background_percentWhite - any other White background (%)
ethnicity_bangladeshiAsian - Bangladeshi
ethnicity_bangladeshi_percentAsian - Bangladeshi (%)
ethnicity_black_africanBlack - Black African
ethnicity_black_african_percentBlack - Black African (%)
ethnicity_black_caribbeanBlack - Black Caribbean
ethnicity_black_caribbean_percentBlack - Black Caribbean (%)
ethnicity_chineseAsian - Chinese
ethnicity_chinese_percentAsian - Chinese (%)
ethnicity_gypsy_romaWhite - Gypsy/Roma
ethnicity_gypsy_roma_percentWhite - Gypsy/Roma (%)
ethnicity_indianAsian - Indian
ethnicity_indian_percentAsian - Indian (%)
ethnicity_irishWhite - Irish
ethnicity_irish_percentWhite - Irish (%)
ethnicity_pakistaniAsian - Pakistani
ethnicity_pakistani_percentAsian - Pakistani (%)
ethnicity_traveller_of_irish_heritageWhite - Traveller of Irish heritage
ethnicity_traveller_of_irish_heritage_percentWhite - Traveller of Irish heritage (%)
ethnicity_unclassifiedUnclassified
ethnicity_unclassified_percentUnclassified (%)
ethnicity_white_and_asianMixed - White and Asian
ethnicity_white_and_asian_percentMixed - White and Asian (%)
ethnicity_white_and_black_africanMixed - White and Black African
ethnicity_white_and_black_african_percentMixed - White and Black African (%)
ethnicity_white_and_black_caribbeanMixed - White and Black Caribbean
ethnicity_white_and_black_caribbean_percentMixed - White and Black Caribbean (%)
ethnicity_white_britishWhite - White British
ethnicity_white_british_percentWhite - White British (%)
fsm_eligibleEligible for free school meals
fsm_eligible_percentEligible for free school meals (%)
fsm_not_eligibleNot eligible for free school meals
fsm_not_eligible_percentNot eligible for free school meals (%)
language_englishFirst language is known to be, or believed to be English
language_english_percentFirst language is known to be, or believed to be English (%)
language_otherFirst language is known to be, or believed to be, other than English
language_other_percentFirst language is known to be, or believed to be, other than English (%)
language_unclassifiedFirst language unclassified
language_unclassified_percentFirst language unclassified (%)
number_of_pupilsHeadcount
phase_type_groupingPhase type of school - Phase (primary, secondary, special, PRU (AP school), independent)
sen_primary_needPrimary type of need - (ASD, HI, VI…)
sen_statusSEN provision - EHC plan/Statement of SEN or SEN support/School Action/School Action plus
Footnotes
  1. EHC plans also includes statements of SEN. Statements were phased out from 2014 to 2018
  2. Includes state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and state-funded alternative provision schools. Does not include independent schools.
  3. Please note that Downs Syndrome has been recorded as a primary need for the first time in the school census in 2024/25. This addition means that there are likely to be pupils recorded with a primary need of Downs syndrome this year that would have been recorded with a different primary need last year.
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Year group, by type of SEN provision and type of need - 2016 to 2025

Filename
sen_ncyear_new_.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2015/16 to 2024/25
Content
Number of pupils in state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and AP schools by SEN provision, type of need and national curriculum year.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
nc_early_yearsEarly years
nc_early_years_percentEarly years (%)
nc_not_followedNational curriculum not followed
nc_not_followed_percentNational curriculum not followed (%)
nc_receptionReception
nc_reception_percentReception (%)
nc_year_1Year group 1
nc_year_1_percentYear group 1 (%)
nc_year_10Year group 10
nc_year_10_percentYear group 10 (%)
nc_year_11Year group 11
nc_year_11_percentYear group 11 (%)
nc_year_12Year group 12
nc_year_12_percentYear group 12 (%)
nc_year_13Year group 13
nc_year_13_percentYear group 13 (%)
nc_year_14Year group 14
nc_year_14_percentYear group 14 (%)
nc_year_2Year group 2
nc_year_2_percentYear group 2 (%)
nc_year_3Year group 3
nc_year_3_percentYear group 3 (%)
nc_year_4Year group 4
nc_year_4_percentYear group 4 (%)
nc_year_5Year group 5
nc_year_5_percentYear group 5 (%)
nc_year_6Year group 6
nc_year_6_percentYear group 6 (%)
nc_year_7Year group 7
nc_year_7_percentYear group 7 (%)
nc_year_8Year group 8
nc_year_8_percentYear group 8 (%)
nc_year_9Year group 9
nc_year_9_percentYear group 9 (%)
number_of_pupilsHeadcount
phase_type_groupingPhase type of school - Phase (primary, secondary, special, AP schools, independent)
sen_primary_needPrimary type of need - (ASD, HI, VI…)
sen_statusSEN provision - Education, Health and Care plan or SEN support
Footnotes
  1. EHC plans also includes statements of SEN. Statements were phased out from 2014 to 2018
  2. Includes state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and state-funded alternative provision schools. Does not include independent schools.
  3. Please note that Downs Syndrome has been recorded as a primary need for the first time in the school census in 2024/25. This addition means that there are likely to be pupils recorded with a primary need of Downs syndrome this year that would have been recorded with a different primary need last year.
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Pupils in all schools, by type of SEN provision - 2016 to 2025

Filename
sen_phase_type_.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2015/16 to 2024/25
Content
Number of pupils in state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools, AP schools and independent schools by SEN provision, type of need and school type.
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
ehc_planEHC plans
ehc_plan_percentEHC plans (percent)
hospital_schoolHospital school flag - Yes/No
phase_type_groupingPhase type of school - Phase (primary, secondary, special, AP school, independent)
sen_supportSEN support/SEN without an EHC plan
sen_support_percentSEN support/SEN without an EHC plan (percent)
total_pupilsHeadcount
type_of_establishmentSchool type detail - For example - academy converter, community school, independent special
Footnotes
  1. Includes state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools, state-funded alternative provision schools and independent schools
  2. Includes pupils with SEN support in state-funded schools and pupils with SEN without an EHC plan in Independent schools
  3. EHC plans also includes statements of SEN. Statements were phased out from 2014 to 2018
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Secondary need, by type of SEN provision and type of need - 2016 to 2025

Filename
sen_secondary_need_new_.csv
Geographic levels
Local authority; National; Regional
Time period
2015/16 to 2024/25
Content
Number of pupils in state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and AP schools by SEN provision, primary type of need and secondary type of need
Variable names and descriptions

Variable names and descriptions for this file are provided below:

Variable nameVariable description
number_of_pupilsHeadcount
phase_type_groupingPhase type of school - Phase (primary, secondary, special, PRU, independent)
secondary_need_asdAutistic Spectrum Disorder
secondary_need_asd_percentAutistic Spectrum Disorder (%)
secondary_need_hiHearing impairment
secondary_need_hi_percentHearing impairment (%)
secondary_need_mldModerate Learning Difficulty
secondary_need_mld_percentModerate Learning Difficulty (%)
secondary_need_msiMulti-sensory Impairment
secondary_need_msi_percentMulti-sensory Impairment (%)
secondary_need_nsaSEN support but no specialist assessment of type of need
secondary_need_nsa_percentSEN support but no specialist assessment of type of need (%)
secondary_need_othOther Difficulty or Disability
secondary_need_oth_percentOther Difficulty or Disability (%)
secondary_need_pdPhysical Disability
secondary_need_pd_percentPhysical Disability (%)
secondary_need_pmldProfound and Multiple Learning Difficulty
secondary_need_pmld_percentProfound and Multiple Learning Difficulty (%)
secondary_need_semhSocial, Emotional and Mental Health
secondary_need_semh_percentSocial, Emotional and Mental Health (%)
secondary_need_slcnSpeech, Language and Communications needs
secondary_need_slcn_percentSpeech, Language and Communications needs (%)
secondary_need_sldSevere Learning Difficulty
secondary_need_sld_percentSevere Learning Difficulty (%)
secondary_need_spldSpecific Learning Difficulty
secondary_need_spld_percentSpecific Learning Difficulty (%)
secondary_need_viVisual impairment
secondary_need_vi_percentVisual impairment (%)
sen_primary_needPrimary type of need - (ASD, HI, VI…)
sen_statusSEN provision - EHC plan/Statement of SEN or SEN support/School Action/School Action plus
Footnotes
  1. EHC plans also includes statements of SEN. Statements were phased out from 2014 to 2018
  2. Includes state-funded nursery, primary, secondary and special schools, non-maintained special schools and state-funded alternative provision schools. Does not include independent schools.
  3. Please note that Downs Syndrome has been recorded as a primary need for the first time in the school census in 2024/25. This addition means that there are likely to be pupils recorded with a primary need of Downs syndrome this year that would have been recorded with a different primary need last year.
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