SEN Percentage

Understanding SEN Percentage

The SEN (Special Educational Needs) percentage shows the proportion of students at the school who have identified special educational needs or disabilities. This includes students receiving SEN Support and those with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Types of SEN

Special educational needs cover a wide range:

• Communication and interaction: Including autism spectrum conditions and speech/language difficulties
• Cognition and learning: Including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and moderate learning difficulties
• Social, emotional and mental health: Including ADHD, anxiety, and attachment difficulties
• Sensory and physical: Including hearing/visual impairments and physical disabilities

What the Numbers Mean

• National average: Around 15-17% of students have identified SEN
• Below 10%: Lower than average SEN population
• 15-20%: Typical range
• Above 25%: Higher than average, may indicate inclusive admissions or specialist provision

Why This Matters

For parents, SEN percentage provides context:

• If your child has SEN: Schools with higher SEN percentages may have more experience and better-developed support systems
• Understanding school context: Higher SEN percentages can affect raw results, making Progress 8 a fairer comparison metric
• Resource allocation: Schools with more SEN students typically have more specialist staff and support

Beyond the Numbers

The percentage alone doesn’t tell you about quality of SEN provision. Also consider:

• The school’s SEND policy and approach
• Ofsted comments on SEND provision
• Whether the school has specialist units or resourced provision
• Staff training and expertise
• How the school includes SEN students in all aspects of school life