Most P7 and high school pupils in Glasgow have additional support needs, report finds

Around half of all pupils in Glasgow have additional support needs, according to a council report.

Additional support needs cover a wide range of issues kids may face in the classroom including disabilities, health problems, dyslexia, not having English as a first language and behavioural issues.

A council report found 56% of P7 pupils in Glasgow schools have additional support needs. Across secondary schools the figure stands at nearly 51% while throughout primary it is recorded as 33.66% during the academic year 2023 to 2024.

Most children receive extra support in mainstream primaries and secondaries but there are a number of specialist additional support needs schools in the city.

A council report said: “Nationally we have seen an increase in the number of children and young people with additional support needs and this can impact on attainment levels and should be considered.

“Within Glasgow in session 2023 to 2024 we had 33.66% of our children in our primary schools recorded as having additional support needs and in our secondary sector the percentage was 50.72%. The number can appear higher within secondary as often diagnosis of ASN can take longer.”

The number of children with additional support needs at P1 is 42% and at P4 is 48% according to a report on attainment to be presented to the operational performance and delivery scrutiny committee tomorrow.

The report said 2023 to 2024 saw a “slight dip” in attainment in Primary 1 and Primary 4 in combined literacy and numeracy. Primary 7 children improved in English but saw a “marginal dip” in maths. Maths achievements rose in S3 but there was a “slight” decrease in combined literacy.

The report added: “Analysis has shown, that while additional support needs can have an impact on attainment overall, there is not enough evidence to say that this on its own has been a significant factor in reducing attainment last session.

“It needs to also be understood that additional support needs refers to a broad spectrum of needs and while these needs can be a barrier, schools are mitigating for these continuously to ensure that they are less of a barrier to attainment.

“Also some needs are more transient and variable depending on the nature of the young persons identified needs eg impact of bereavement, mental health and wellbeing concerns.”

Scotland wide figures show 40.5% of all pupils had an additional support need in 2024 showing a rise of 3.8% higher than the previous year.