Pupils: Dyslexia

Mr. Ancram
To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of school students were dyslexic in 2007.

Sarah McCarthy-Fry
Information on the number of pupils with dyslexia is not collected centrally. Pupils categorised as having a 'Specific Learning Difficulty' have a particular difficulty in learning to read, write, spell or manipulate numbers and this includes pupils with dyslexia, dyscalculia and dyspraxia. The number and percentage of pupils with Specific Learning Difficulties in 2007 (either with a statement of special educational needs (SEN) or supported at SEN School Action Plus, where the school involves external support/advice to meet the child's needs) can be found in table 9 of the 'Special Educational Needs in England: January 2007' Statistical First Release accessible via the following link:

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000732/index.shtml

The Department does not collect data on the particular special education needs of pupils at School Action (who represent more than half of all children with SEN).