Number of Children in Special Schools in England & Wales: 1897-2000
| Year | No of Children | Year | No of Children |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1897 | 4,739 | 1955 | 51,558 * |
| 1909 | 17,600 | 1965 | 70,334 * |
| 1914 | 28,511 | 1967 | 78,256 * |
| 1919 | 34,478 | 1977 | 135,261 *+ |
| 1929 | 49,487 | 1987 | 107,126 *+ |
| 1939 | 59,768 | 1999 | 106,000 *+@ |
| 1947 | 40,252 * | 2000 | 104,991 *+@ |
* Hospital schools not included
+ Includes Severe Learning Difficulty
Source Cole 1989 based on Chief Medical Officer, Ministry of Education, Dept.of Education and Science Annual Reports and @ DfEE 13/99 15/2001, SEN Statistics includes independent schools and PRUs.