ASN in Scotland's Schools

Rebecca McCurdy

More than 12,000 children are severely absent from Scottish schools.

Getting it right for every child? Not with 12,000 severely absent from school

Severe absence is treated as a problem with pupils and parents. My own experience – and the lives of 12,402 Scottish children – tells a different story.

'My son would rather die than go to school': Mums at 'breaking point' over attendance

'Of the nearly 300,000 pupils with recorded ASN in Scottish schools, almost 275,000 of them spend all of their time in mainstream classrooms'

'Of the nearly 300,000 pupils with recorded ASN in Scottish schools, almost 275,000 of them spend all of their time in mainstream classrooms'

ASN in Scotland's Schools

What counts as an additional support need, and how have things changed over time?

More than 12,000 children were severely absent from school this year.

More than 12,000 children were severely absent from school this year.

The shocking rise in children missing half the school year in Scotland

ASN in Scotland's Schools

'Every policymaker should be concerned' - charities warn over ASN pressures

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Dozens of schools report vast majority of pupils have additional support needs

ASN in Scotland's Schools

What do huge increases in additional support needs mean for schools in Scotland?

My autistic son is thriving and happy, but is about to lose the support he needs

Mainstream schools in the public and private sector provide for a significant number of pupils with additional support needs, but the quality of that provision is drastically different.

Mainstream schools in the public and private sector provide for a significant number of pupils with additional support needs, but the quality of that provision is drastically different.

Are private schools cash cows or vital partners for public education?

There has been a

There has been a

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Campaigners warn of 'staggering' rise in children's mental health concerns in decade

NASUWT Scotland has said all funds from additional UK investment should go to ASN.

NASUWT Scotland has said all funds from additional UK investment should go to ASN.

2026 Holyrood election

Union urges next Scottish Government to commit £900m to additional needs

New legislation should lead to increased training and awareness of restraint use in schools, as well as a potential decrease in incidents.

New legislation should lead to increased training and awareness of restraint use in schools, as well as a potential decrease in incidents.

Explainer: How will Calum's Law address potential 'children's rights breaches'

Daniel Johnson MSP put forward the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill to address the historical underreporting of physical interventions in schools and to reduce future misuse of restraint.

Daniel Johnson MSP put forward the Restraint and Seclusion in Schools (Scotland) Bill to address the historical underreporting of physical interventions in schools and to reduce future misuse of restraint.

ASN in Scotland's Schools

'Calum's Law' will require schools to inform parents when a pupil is restrained

Number of specialist ASN teachers in primary schools falls lowest levels on record

Number of specialist ASN teachers in primary schools falls lowest levels on record

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Number of specialist ASN teachers in primary schools falls to lowest level on record

In some schools, more than half of all pupils in mainstream classes have some form of additional support need.

In some schools, more than half of all pupils in mainstream classes have some form of additional support need.

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Government report finds major failures in additional support needs provision

Officials at Falkirk Council proposed major changes to provision for pupils with additional needs.

Officials at Falkirk Council proposed major changes to provision for pupils with additional needs.

What happened next when a council tried to close Additional Support Needs centres?

Parents in Falkirk have been campaigning against council proposals to scrap 'enhanced provision' units for pupils with additional support needs

Parents in Falkirk have been campaigning against council proposals to scrap 'enhanced provision' units for pupils with additional support needs

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Council delays release of report on plans to scrap additional support needs centres

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Lessons to Learn 🎓

Additional Support Needs

Is the lack of legally enforceable ASN plans a problem for Scotland’s pupils?

Some Scottish children have been waiting for years for a CAMHS assessment.

Some Scottish children have been waiting for years for a CAMHS assessment.

Charity boss warns Scotland 'can't CAMHS way out of child mental health emergency'

The latest Scottish Government figures show that 43% of school children now have an identified additional support need like autism, dyslexia or having caring responsibilities, a record high.

The latest Scottish Government figures show that 43% of school children now have an identified additional support need like autism, dyslexia or having caring responsibilities, a record high.

Forget the critics – we're helping kids with additional needs not overdiagnosing them

Satisfaction with Scottish schools has reached its lowest point in a decade

Satisfaction with Scottish schools has reached its lowest point in a decade

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Satisfaction with Scotland’s schools falls to lowest level in a decade

Teresa Giacopazzi knew nothing about an assault involving her daughter until days later.

Teresa Giacopazzi knew nothing about an assault involving her daughter until days later.

'School didn't tell me of my daughter's assault - now I'll change the law'

More than 20 percent of National 5 and Higher attempts are carried out with additional exam support, such as extra time or separate accommodation

More than 20 percent of National 5 and Higher attempts are carried out with additional exam support, such as extra time or separate accommodation

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Data shows most advantaged pupils more likely to get extra support for SQA exams

Many parents could use a helping hand to navigate the convoluted council complaints process, but they often feel like they are being treated as the opposition.

Many parents could use a helping hand to navigate the convoluted council complaints process, but they often feel like they are being treated as the opposition.

Parents and schools: Why trust has broken down - and what must change to fix it

If inclusion is to succeed, it has to do more than work in theory

If inclusion is to succeed, it has to do more than work in theory

ASN in Scotland's Schools

If inclusion is to succeed, it has to do more than work in theory

Aspiration vs Experience - Has the presumption of mainstream really worked?

Aspiration vs Experience - Has the presumption of mainstream really worked?

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Aspiration vs Experience - Has the presumption of mainstream really worked?

There is a rising tide of violence in Scottish schools, but the complex underlying causes mean there are no simple solutions.

There is a rising tide of violence in Scottish schools, but the complex underlying causes mean there are no simple solutions.

Additional Support Needs

'We’re being attacked at work': Why violence in Scottish schools is getting worse

Maddiston Primary School will remain shut until August 2026

Maddiston Primary School will remain shut until August 2026

ASN in Scotland's Schools

MSP writes to Falkirk Council outlining concerns over changes to ASN provision

Council investigates senior officials over additional support needs comments

Council investigates senior officials over additional support needs comments

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Council investigates senior officials over additional support needs comments

Can families trust Falkirk Council over changes to additional support needs services?

Can families trust Falkirk Council over changes to additional support needs services?

Can families trust Falkirk Council over changes to additional support needs services?

Natalie Pinnell was pushing for her daughter to attend New Struan school and has been left 'devastated' by news that it is to close.

Natalie Pinnell was pushing for her daughter to attend New Struan school and has been left 'devastated' by news that it is to close.

'Closure of school for autistic pupils treats my daughter as collateral damage'

Jodie Harkins and Catherine O'Reilly fear for their children's education if proposed closures to specialist centres are pushed through.

Jodie Harkins and Catherine O'Reilly fear for their children's education if proposed closures to specialist centres are pushed through.

Desperate parents speak out over council plans to close additional needs centres

The council proposals would mean 280 pupils with additional needs returning to mainstream classes.

The council proposals would mean 280 pupils with additional needs returning to mainstream classes.

Council moves to close all 'enhanced Additional Support Needs' primary school centres

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Sign up for Lessons to Learn and get a weekly expert insight into Scottish education

Lessons to Learn 🎓

Additional Support Needs

The additional support needs crisis risks creating a lost generation of children

The number of pupils with additional support needs has increased massively but funding has not kept up.

The number of pupils with additional support needs has increased massively but funding has not kept up.

Additional Support Needs

Charities warn of a 'lost generation of vulnerable children' due to ASN failures

School Leaders Scotland (SLS) has submitted FOI requests and surveyed members.

School Leaders Scotland (SLS) has submitted FOI requests and surveyed members.

Additional Support Needs

'Not fit for purpose' - school leaders slam Additional Support Needs provision

Rod Stewart stepped in to help a four-year-old obtain an autism diagnosis due to excessive waits.

Rod Stewart stepped in to help a four-year-old obtain an autism diagnosis due to excessive waits.

Swinney told 'hang head in shame' as Rod Stewart helps family with autism diagnosis

Jill O’Hara and her daughter Ruby at their home in Motherwell.

Jill O’Hara and her daughter Ruby at their home in Motherwell.

‘It’s a huge injustice’ - mother's battle with council over daughter's school place

Can lessons from the 'school-to-prison pipeline' improve Scottish education?

Can lessons from the 'school-to-prison pipeline' improve Scottish education?

Can lessons from the 'school-to-prison pipeline' improve Scottish education?

Nicola Killean, the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, wants to see major education reform.

Nicola Killean, the Children and Young People's Commissioner Scotland, wants to see major education reform.

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Children's Commissioner says too many children being 'let down' by school system

A whistleblower says violent assaults against primary school teachers in Glasgow is an increasing problem

A whistleblower says violent assaults against primary school teachers in Glasgow is an increasing problem

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Whistleblower reveals 'dire' truth of violence in Scottish primary schools

Mother assisting autistic son holding push pop toy while doing studies at home.

Mother assisting autistic son holding push pop toy while doing studies at home.

Additional Support Needs

Additional support needs 'crisis' as families speak out over school and welfare

A special report by The Herald previously examined ASN rates, support levels, school outcomes and more.

A special report by The Herald previously examined ASN rates, support levels, school outcomes and more.

Lessons to Learn 🎓

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Major concerns over ASN in schools are no surprise - our series revealed huge issues

Cargilfield School was given five conditions on the Scottish Government's independent school register.

Cargilfield School was given five conditions on the Scottish Government's independent school register.

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Private school warned by ministers over additional support needs 'terminology'

The Herald series on ASN in schools asked if Scotland is getting it right for every child.

The Herald series on ASN in schools asked if Scotland is getting it right for every child.

Additional Support Needs

We shone a light on ASN in schools - here's what we learned, and what must change

John Swinney has been criticised by parents after he said he did not agree education in Scotland was failing. (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

John Swinney has been criticised by parents after he said he did not agree education in Scotland was failing. (Image: Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

Parents 'deeply angered' after Swinney denies ASN system is failing

John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is not failing on education.

John Swinney has said the Scottish Government is not failing on education.

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Swinney: 'I don't accept we're failing on education amid rising ASN numbers'

Data on support levels, staffing, attainment and more helps us to more fully understand the school experiences of those with additional support needs.

Data on support levels, staffing, attainment and more helps us to more fully understand the school experiences of those with additional support needs.

Additional Support Needs

Deep dive: ASN in Scottish schools - what do the official statistics tell us?

Families across Scotland still face barriers to securing appropriate support for young people

Families across Scotland still face barriers to securing appropriate support for young people

Additional Support Needs

'The pressure is relentless': families still face battle to have additional needs met

The EIS has said that inadequate resourcing for ASN is causing added stress for students and teachers and increased levels of disruptive behaviour in schools

The EIS has said that inadequate resourcing for ASN is causing added stress for students and teachers and increased levels of disruptive behaviour in schools

Additional Support Needs

Union leader says Scotland will 'pay a high price' for ASN 'underinvestment'

Louise Gilmour says that support staff are 'at least four times more likely than teachers to be hurt by pupils'

Louise Gilmour says that support staff are 'at least four times more likely than teachers to be hurt by pupils'

Additional Support Needs

Union leader: 'Pupil support staff must no longer suffer in silence'

The Scottish Government aims to 'Get It Right For Every Child'

The Scottish Government aims to 'Get It Right For Every Child'

ASN in Scotland's Schools

Rebecca McQuillan: Additional Support Needs and schools: it’s time to be radical

SwimPix are visual tools part of an ongoing inclusivity campaign by Learn to Swim, Scottish Swimming, and Scottish Water

SwimPix are visual tools part of an ongoing inclusivity campaign by Learn to Swim, Scottish Swimming, and Scottish Water

New ‘learn to swim’ tools changing lives for ASN children

Scottish Autism has said a 'sense of urgency' is needed to know the scale of 'unlawful' exclusions against children with autism

Scottish Autism has said a 'sense of urgency' is needed to know the scale of 'unlawful' exclusions against children with autism

ASN in Scotland's Schools

'Show a sense of urgency' Gilruth warned of inaction on 'unlawful ASN exclusions'