Short of support

It is worrying that the number of additional support teachers in Scotland has fallen by over 500 in six years, from 3518 in 2010 to 2990 in 2016 (Scotsman, 27 September).

This is especially concerning as over the same time period there has been a 144 per cent increase in the number of pupils with additional support needs (ASN), such as dyslexia, autism and learning disabilities, now standing at 24.9 per cent of the pupil population.

While this rise is in part due to increased awareness and identification of those requiring assistance, we know that teachers and resources are stretched to their limits, and it is these vulnerable children that are missing out.

We fully support the presumption that those requiring additional support should be educated in a mainstream classroom environment.

However, it is difficult to see this being effectively achieved if there is not adequate support in the classroom.

It also makes it difficult to close the educational attainment gap if children with ASN are not getting full care and support.

With education the Scottish Government’s priority, it is our hope that pupils with ASN be put front and centre. We would urge it to use its forthcoming budget to set up a dedicated Additional Support Fund for local authorities, which should be highly targeted at schools for maximum benefit and is additional to current funding. THE SCOTTISH CHILDREN’S

SERVICES COALITION George Street, Edinburgh