More than a third of pupils in Scotland have an identified additional support need (ASN) - but data published today shows that the figure varies considerably by both school sector and council area.

Overall, Scottish government statistics show that 34.2 per cent of pupils had an identified ASN in 2022, with 28.3 per cent of pupils in primary schools having an ASN and 40.1 per cent of students in secondary.

Pupils in Scotland are recorded as having an ASN for a wide range of reasons. For some it is because English is not their first language or they have family issues; others may have social, emotional or behavioural difficulties, learning difficulties or be autistic.

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The proportion of pupils with an ASN has been rising over time - in 2012 it was just 17.6 per cent - and teachers and parents have long been saying that more staff with the right skills are needed so that schools can meet demand.

But these new figures also call into question the way ASNs are recorded, given the big disparities between councils.

In Aberdeenshire, Edinburgh, Highland and Orkney councils, just over half of secondary students have an identified ASN; in North Lanarkshire, it is less than a quarter.

Here are the proportions of primary and secondary pupils with ASN, by council area: