Additional support for learning must be ‘fundamentally evaluated’, says watchdog

Additional support for learning (ASL) provision in Scotland must be “fundamentally evaluated” by Government and councils, a watchdog has said.

Audit Scotland released its report on Thursday, finding 40% of Scotland’s pupils receive some kind of ASL support, most of which is provided in mainstream classrooms.

But the proportion in Scotland’s most deprived areas is almost double that of the least deprived areas – 46% compared to 27%.

Pupils receiving support usually experience worse outcomes, the report found, with a 20% gap in attainment, being less likely to move on to a “positive destination” after school, and being five times more likely to be excluded from school.

The report said: “Providing ASL is an increasingly core part of what classroom teachers do.

“However, the Scottish Government has not planned effectively for the potential impact of this inclusive approach to ASL.

“It is not specifically reflected in funding formulas for education and education planning, such as training for teachers and support staff, class sizes and the design of school buildings.

“The Scottish Government and councils need to fundamentally evaluate how education is funded, staffed and assessed to support all pupils to reach their full potential.

“They also need to consider the continual growth in pupils requiring ASL within their wider approach to improving child development.”

The report also identified data gaps which make it difficult to assess how ASL is being rolled out across Scotland.

Scottish Labour education spokeswoman Pam Duncan-Glancy described the report as “damning”, adding: “This report confirms what parents and teachers already know – parents are constantly fighting for their children’s education and teachers are being worked to the bone, but they aren’t getting the support they need from the Government.

“People have been sounding the alarm for years on this issue, but the SNP is still in denial about the scale of the challenge and has no plan to fix it.”

Scottish Conservative education spokesman Miles Briggs said: “This damning verdict highlights that kids with additional support needs are the latest category of pupils being let down by an SNP Government with a dismal record on education.

“Just as the attainment gap between the most and least deprived has widened under John Swinney’s Government, this report identifies a gulf in outcomes between students who receive support and the rest.

“It’s a recurring theme of Audit Scotland reports that lack of planning lies at the heart of the SNP Government’s failure to deliver. That’s unacceptable, especially given their claims that education is a top priority.”

Scottish Liberal Democrat education spokesman Willie Rennie said: “It doesn’t take a genius to work out that this is a big problem for both pupils and teachers. It is no wonder that so many young people are disengaged, stressed and distracted.

“The SNP Government need to ensure additional support for learning is adequately supported and teachers feel supported to intervene on bad behaviour.”

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “All children and young people should receive support to reach their full potential and should not face barriers to their learning.

“Scotland’s inclusive approach to education is enshrined in the Additional Support for Learning Act (2004) and has a broad consensus of support.

“The Scottish Government welcomes Audit Scotland’s report. Ministers will engage with Audit Scotland to consider its recommendations carefully alongside local authorities, who carry the statutory responsibility for Additional Support for Learning in our schools.

“Since the ASL (Scotland) Act was enacted in 2004 the number of pupils in schools with ASN has increased to 40%, which does present challenges.

“That’s why the 2025-26 budget includes an additional £29m for ASN, building on the record investment of over £1 billion spent by local authorities in the last year alone.

“It is encouraging that school leaver destinations for pupils with ASN are at near-record levels, and we are seeing record achievement through curriculum for excellence.”