Additional needs teachers fall

The number of additional support needs teachers in Scotland has fallen by more than 400 since 2010, the Scottish Greens have revealed.

Although official figures show the number of children with additional support needs (ASN) has risen by more than 130,000 during the period, the number of specialist teachers has dropped by 428.

The latest figures show there was the full-time equivalent of 3,459 ASN teachers across Scotland compared to 3,887 in 2010.

The party’s education spokesman Ross Greer MSP, who requested the Scottish Government figures, described the situation as “unacceptable”. 0 Ross Greer says the situation is unacceptable

Mr Greer said: “Far too many children in Scotland with additional support needs are being failed. To have just one ASN specialist teacher for every 58 young people with diagnosed additional needs ... is just unacceptable.”