HC Deb 18 February 1997 vol 290 cc457-8W
Mr. Peter Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many children of school age, who are the subjects of statements of special educational needs, are being educated in(a) private schools specialising in such children, (b) maintained special schools, (c) special units within maintained schools and (d) mainstream classes in maintained schools. [16438]

Mrs. Gillan

Schools' returns to the Department showed that in January 1996, 4,992 pupils with statements were educated in non-maintained special schools, 5,810 in independent schools, 87,458 in maintained special schools, 1,826 in pupil referral units, and 127,238 in maintained nursery, primary or secondary schools. Information on whether pupils with statements in mainstream schools are taught in general classes or separately is not collected centrally.

Mr. Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) boys and (b) girls of school age are the subjects of statements of special educational needs; and how many of these have (i) special learning difficulties and (ii) behavioural problems. [16435]

Mrs. Gillan

Schools' returns to the Department showed that in January 1996 a total of 227,324 pupils had statements. Information by gender, or by type of special educational need, is not collected centrally.