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GeraLearn / SEN Provision / Dorset

Dorset — Special Educational Needs Provision 2024/25

In Dorset, 5.82% of pupils have an EHCP and 16.24% receive SEN support (England: 5.34% / 14.22%). Real DfE data (OGL v3.0).

What is the EHCP rate and SEN provision level in Dorset in 2024/25?

In 2024/25, 5.82% of pupils in Dorset have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) — 8.9 above the England average of 5.34%. A further 16.24% receive SEN support. The Gera Special Educational Needs Provision Index for Dorset is 92.1 (rank #35 of 153). Source: DfE SEN in England, 2024/25, OGL v3.0.

Source:DfE — Special educational needs in England, Academic year 2024/25·As of Academic year 2024/25 · updated annually · last refreshed

Gera Special Educational Needs Provision Index

Dorset ranks #35 of 153 published local authorities. Combines EHCP rate, SEN support rate, and specialist places per 1,000 pupils, each indexed to England averages. England average ≈ 100.

How this is calculated
92.1

Dorset vs England — SEN provision 2024/25

MeasureDorsetEnglandDifference
EHCP rate5.82%5.34%+0.48 pp
SEN support rate16.24%14.22%+2.02 pp
Total SEN pupils11,568of 52,460 total
Specialist school places per 1,00018.6977 pupils
GSNEPI (overall)92.1≈ 100Rank #35 / 153

Based on 52,460 total pupils in Dorset: 3,051 with EHCPs and 8,517 receiving SEN support. Academic year 2024/25, January census.

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MeasureDorsetEnglandvs England
EHCP rate5.82%5.34%+0.48 pp above
SEN support rate16.24%14.22%+2.02 pp above
Specialist places per 1,000 pupils18.6#35 of 153
GSNEPI92.1≈ 100Rank #35

Dorset has a Gera SNEPI of 92.1 — ranking #35 of 153 English local authorities. This is below the England index average of 100, indicating lower combined SEN provision intensity. Based on 3,051 pupils with EHCPs and 8,517 receiving SEN support out of 52,460 total pupils (2024/25 DfE data).

See full SEN profile for Dorset

Dorset SEN provision — FAQ

What is the EHCP rate in Dorset?
In 2024/25, 5.82% of pupils in Dorset have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) — 3,051 pupils out of 52,460 total. The England national average is 5.34%. Source: DfE SEN in England 2024/25.
How many pupils in Dorset receive SEN support?
In 2024/25, 8,517 pupils in Dorset (16.24%) receive SEN support without an EHCP. The England national average is 14.22%.
What is Dorset's GSNEPI?
Dorset has a Gera Special Educational Needs Provision Index of 92.1, ranking #35 of 153 English local authorities. The GSNEPI combines EHCP rate, SEN support rate, and specialist school places per 1,000 pupils into a single index where 100 represents England average levels. Higher means more intensive SEN provision.
How does Dorset compare to the England average for SEN?
Dorset's EHCP rate of 5.82% is above the England average of 5.34% by 0.48 percentage points. Its SEN support rate of 16.24% is above the national average of 14.22%. Overall GSNEPI: 92.1 (England average ≈ 100).

How Dorset's GSNEPI is calculated

The Gera Special Educational Needs Provision Index for Dorset is 92.1, computed from three components:

  • EHCP Rate Component: min(5.82% ÷ 5.34% × 100, 200) = 108.9
  • SEN Support Rate Component: min(16.24% ÷ 14.22% × 100, 200) = 114.2
  • Specialist Places Component: 18.6 ÷ 34.997 × 100 = 53.2
  • GSNEPI = (108.9 + 114.2 + 53.2) ÷ 3 = 92.1

England national averages used: EHCP rate 5.34%, SEN support rate 14.22% (DfE SEN in England 2024/25). Full methodology: GSNEPI methodology.

SEN provision in nearby South West local authorities

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Source: DfE — Special educational needs in England, Academic year 2024/25. State-funded schools, academic year 2024/25 (January census). Licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0 (OGL v3.0). The Gera Special Educational Needs Provision Index for Dorset is computed by GeraLearn from these published figures; no figure is modelled, estimated, or interpolated. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.