HC Deb 07 July 1994 vol 246 cc318-9W
Ms Primarolo

To ask the Secretary of State for Education how many and what percentage of disabled children with special educational needs were in mainstream schools in each year since 1979.

Mr. Forth

The total of all pupils who, at some time in their school career, have special educational needs is not collected centrally. The numbers of pupils with statements of special educational needs—including those who are disabled—in primary, middle and secondary maintained schools in England are not available pre-1985 but are set out below as at January of each year 1985–1993. They are also shown as a percentage of all pupils with statements in maintained' schools including special schools.

Year Pupils with statements in mainstream schools As percentage of ail pupils with statements in maintained sector
1985 26,800 19
1986 30,000 21
1987 33,300 23
1988 40,900 28
1989 47,300 32
1990 54,300 35
1991 62,000 42
1992 71,200 46
1993 85,000 49
1Includes non-maintained special schools.