Press Release

SSTA Social Inclusion Survey

The Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association has conducted a survey of its members into the impact of Social Inclusion measures on Scottish Secondary School. The survey shows that Social Inclusion Initiatives have huge impact on teaching and learning for all pupils, not just those with special needs

The results show that teachers are committed to Social Inclusion, but concerned at the lack of training and resourcing required to deliver inclusive education for all. They are also concerned that the education of all pupils is being affected by the mainstreaming initiative. A huge range of strategies and programmes are available to meet special needs in Scottish Secondary Schools. However, 90% of teachers reported that the group of pupils who are most likely to disrupt the learning of others in the classroom, i.e. those with emotional/behavioural needs, benefit least from these strategies.

Sixty percent of teachers in the survey have received absolutely no training in meeting special needs of any kind, workload and stress levels were also found to be increased by supporting the wide variety of needs in mainstream schools.

The SSTA recommends a national Special Needs training programme for all teachers, to enable them to support all pupils with special needs without detriment to other pupils, and improve attainment levels for all. In addition, the union calls for smaller class sizes to take account of the special needs of any given group

Barbara Clark says, "When you have six, seven or eight pupils with a range of physical, educational and behavioural needs present in a teaching group of thirty-two, common sense tells you that some pupils are going to miss out on teacher time and attention. Moreover, the presence of supporting adults, such as special assistants, while vital, adds to the congestion in rooms. The problem is even worse when classrooms are small, as is the case in many newer schools".

"Overall class sizes must be reduced where there are a number of pupils with difficulties, so that no pupil, including those without identified difficulties, is disadvantaged."

Further Info:  Barbara Clark 0131 556 5919

27 November 2002

Social Inclusion Survey (Adobe Acrobat reader is required to view the survey)