Special Educational Needs: support in England
An overview of the current system of support for children and young people with special educational needs, and pressure on the system. Updated with new 2024-25 SEND incidence and EHC plan data

This note provides an overview of the curriculum in state-funded schools in England. It outlines what schools have to teach and at what ages. It also provides historical information on the development and revision of the national curriculum since its inception.
The school curriculum in England (426 KB , PDF)
Maintained schools in England must teach the national curriculum to pupils aged approximately 5 to 16 years old. The national curriculum is divided into four key stages. It includes different subjects at different stages, but maths, sciences, English, physical education and computing are included at all stages.
Academies and free schools don’t have to follow the national curriculum. They must, however, offer a broad and balanced curriculum that covers English, maths, sciences and RE. Primary academies and free schools must also take part in national curriculum assessments, commonly referred to as SATs.
In addition to the national curriculum, maintained schools in England must also currently offer:
These elements, plus the national curriculum, comprise the statutory curriculum for maintained schools. Additionally, secondary schools must offer impartial careers advice to those in school years 9 to 13.
During the summer term of 2020, schools in England were closed to most pupils. Where children and young people were learning at home during this time, the Department for Education made clear that schools did not have to offer a full curriculum remotely. Most pupils returned for the September 2020 school term, and the expectation was that the full curriculum would resume. During the spring 2021 lockdown, when schools were again closed to most pupils, the DfE published guidance on remote education, which was clear that schools should offer a “planned and well-sequenced curriculum”.
The school curriculum in England (426 KB , PDF)
An overview of the current system of support for children and young people with special educational needs, and pressure on the system. Updated with new 2024-25 SEND incidence and EHC plan data
A debate on the attainment and engagement of boys in education is scheduled to take place in the House of Commons Chamber on Thursday 10 July 2025. The subject for the debate was determined by the Backbench Business Committee, and the debate will be led by Sam Rushworth MP.
This paper provides statistics on household food insecurity, food bank usage and free school meals in the UK, and tracks the impact of rising living costs.