Statement in response to national ASN figures

Dyslexia Scotland has issued the following statement in response to national ASN figures published last week

Publication of the latest figures shows that 43% of pupils in Scottish schools are now identified as having additional support needs, with many unable to attend a traditional school system that cannot meet their needs.

As BBC News reports, “various forms of learning difficulty or disability, including dyslexia, accounted for about 112,000 of the overall figure.”

We know that many young people, educators and families are worried about what this means for them. The rise in identification of Additional Support Needs highlights the urgent need for a modernised education system that is responsive to the social, emotional and communication needs of children and young people today.

At Dyslexia Scotland, we believe that every learner deserves an inclusive education that meets them where they are on their learning pathway, supported by skilled educators with the training they need to help learners grow and thrive.

To make this a reality, we need:
• Earlier identification of learning differences in primary school, preventing years of unnecessary struggle
• Practical, evidence-based teaching strategies for differentiation and inclusive pedagogy
• Regular professional learning updates as part of Scotland’s professional standards for educators

For years, organisations like Dyslexia Scotland, along with educators and families, have called for improved teacher training in Additional Support for Learning and for a fit-for-purpose education system that truly reflects the needs of its learners. The focus on the newly-published statistics reinforces an urgent need for intervention.

We urge policymakers to work with us and with other leaders in the education community to provide the teacher training required to ensure that all learners are supported in environments that enable them to flourish – as individuals and as contributors to society.

If Scotland’s ambition is to be a nation that treats everyone with kindness, dignity and compassion, then our education system must model these values at every level.

How is Dyslexia Scotland working for a solution?

For years, Dyslexia Scotland has championed inclusive education where learners with dyslexia have their rights met and are enabled to reach their potential. Together with our President, Sir Jackie Stewart, we campaigned for mandatory training in teacher education. This led to the adoption of a Framework for Inclusion by universities providing initial teacher education in Scotland – a step forward, but not far enough.

Following the 2014 Making Sense review Dyslexia Scotland and Education Scotland developed a series of three free, open-access online modules for Scottish teachers on the Open University platform. These continue to help thousands of educators better understand and support dyslexic learners.

Political advocacy

• We met with the First Minister in November of 2024 and are in discussions with officials about the commitments we asked for in relation to our recommendations in the hard-hitting research report ‘Towards a dyslexia-friendly Scotland?’.
• The Scottish Government has acknowledged that “there is more to be done” to support children and young people with dyslexia.
• In November of this year, the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills Jenny Gilruth MSP wrote to all Executive Directors of Education and Children’s Services in Scotland, urging them to provide appropriate support for children and young people with dyslexia in schools.

Grassroots action

While we lobby at a strategic level, we are also leading action on the ground. Key initiatives include:

• A flagship dyslexia-inclusive education model co-developed with City of Edinburgh Council, funded by the Sean Connery Foundation. This trail-blazing project has the potential to reshape practice across Scotland.
• A GTCS-accredited Professional Recognition programme, delivered with Education Scotland, that equips teachers to lead on dyslexia inclusion in their schools and learning communities. A strong community of committed, knowledgeable teachers has emerged over the past 5 years as a result
• Our annual Education Conference, bringing together over 200 educators for expert-led, evidence-based dyslexia training.
• We are releasing two new online teacher training modules in 2026, to share the learning from the Sean Connery Foundation Dyslexia Initiative. These have been funded by HSBC UK.