The uneven distribution of children with special educational needs across Hertfordshire’s mainstream schools has been highlighted in data presented to county councillors.

The data focuses on those children who have Education Health and Care Plans, indicating that their needs require some additional support.

It shows that while some schools have no children on roll with EHCPs, there are others that have had as many as 18.8 per cent – that’s almost one in five pupils.

The data – collected for the summer 2024 School Census – was presented to a meeting of the county council’s education, libraries and lifelong learning cabinet panel on Wednesday (November 4).

According to that data, children with EHCPs make up 3.2 per cent of the county’s overall population in mainstream primary schools – and 2.6 per cent of the population in mainstream secondary schools.

But across the county the proportions of children with EHCPs varies.

So, in Broxbourne primary schools overall 4.1 per cent of pupils have EHCPs overall – compared to just 2.6 per cent in those in St Albans and North Hertfordshire.

Meanwhile in secondary schools in Stevenage 3.4 per cent of pupils have EHCPs – compared to to a low of 1.9 per cent in St Albans.

But it is at individual school level that the data shows the differences are most stark.

There are primary schools in Dacorum, North Hertfordshire and Three Rivers without any pupils with EHCPs.

Yet in East Hertfordshire one primary school has 18.8 per cent of its population with EHCPs – and in Hertsmere, St Albans and Three Rivers there are schools where more than 10 per cent of pupils have EHCPs.

In the secondary sector there are schools in East Hertfordshire, St Albans, Three Rivers and Watford that have one per cent of fewer of their pupils with EHCPs.

In Hertsmere, there is a school where 7.9 per cent of pupils have EHCPs – that’s equivalent to one in 12 pupils. And in Broxbourne there is a school where 7.2 per cent of pupils – that’s one in 14 – have EHCPs.

Accounting for the differing proportions of children with EHCPs in schools across the county, a spokesperson for the county council highlighted factors that included the impact of school size, a school’s reputation and the statistical impact on a small school.

He told the LDRS that there was not a uniform distribution across the county in terms of where pupils with EHCPs live – impacting on the schools they may choose.

He highlighted schools with smaller numbers on roll, where each individual pupil supported with an EHCP will represent a higher percentage overall.

He said some schools would have a positive reputation for meeting the needs of children with SEND, which he said may influence parental preference for those schools.

He added some schools which are under-subscribed may also be more likely to accommodate new pupils with SEND.

“As set out in the recent letter to Hertfordshire MPs, it is important that we continue to push for change so that schools are both funded and supported more effectively to educate children in mainstream settings including those with SEND where it is in a child’s best interests, supported by a concerted focus on workforce capacity and training," he said.

“There is a need to consider how accountability measures and the inspection framework can support and recognise inclusion in mainstream schools, in order to provide positive and appropriate outcomes for all children and young people, including those with SEND.”