A record number of state school pupils in England now have statements of special educational need. The total now stands at more than a quarter of a million - the equivalent of 3.1 per cent of the school population.

More than 60 per cent of pupils with statements are in mainstream primary and secondary schools. Indeed, while the number of “statemented” pupils in special schools rose by nearly 4,000 (4.5 per cent) between 1994 and 2001, the primary school total increased by 25,000 - a jump of 50 per cent.

In secondary schools, the figure rose by nearly 32,000, an increase of almost two-thirds. The number of statemented pupils in nursery schools and pupil-referral units has also risen during the same period.

Although some of the rise in primary and secondary schools may be explained by the drive towards greater integration, other factors must be taken into account. One is, perhaps, the introduction of the revised code of practice which will have focused more attention on pupils with special needs. Another may be the decline in school funding throughout much of the 1990s. This encouraged schools to seek the additional funds that statementing provides. The statementing process may also have become more efficient.

However, access to a special needs statement continues to be something of a postcode lottery, or at least depends upon the region of England or local education authority in which a child lives. The fact that only 1.5 per cent of primary pupils in the West Midlands have statements, but 2 per cent of those in the South-west and Yorkshire and the Humber have them raises interesting questions.

John Howson is managing director of Education Data Surveys. Email:john.howson@lineone.net