Wednesday February 11th 2026
Musselburgh Grammar School is being considered for a new ASN provision
Written by Local Democracy Reporter, Marie Sharp
Demand for specialist provision for pupils with additional support needs (ASN) has more than doubled in East Lothian over the last five years.
Education bosses want to take the number of ASN units attached to mainstream schools in the county from six to nine to to provide more places for youngsters.
It is estimated that just over 40 per cent of pupils in East Lothian have some additional support needs – slightly below the national average of 43 per cent.
The number of referrals for specialist provision spaces has increased from 37 in 2020 to 86 last year.
A report due to go before East Lothian Council next week proposes introducing new ASN provision at Musselburgh Grammar School, Stoneyhill Primary School in Musselburgh and Law Primary School in North Berwick.
And it asks councillors to approve a consultation on the plans which, if given the go ahead, will start next month.
The report says: “There has been a significant growth in demand for specialist ASN provision. Between 2020 and 2025 this demand has increased by 132%.”
It warns East Lothian Council is at risk of failing to meet its duty to provide specialist support for children and young people or facing additional costs of providing it outwith the county itself.
And it says the current six ASN provisions have been expanded as far as possible with the number of spaces offered there going from 171 to 248 over the last two years stating “the specialist ASN estate is now at capacity”.
It adds: “The sites at Law Primary, Stoneyhill Primary and Musselburgh Grammar schools have been identified as their roll projections indicate sufficient capacity available to support the ASN provision requirements.
“The geographic locations of these schools provides provision in
areas in which there is currently none.”
The new primary school units will have spaces for 62 pupils between them with Musselburgh Grammar’s new provision providing 60 new spaces
The report will ask councillors to approve consultations on the new provisions which will be held over six weeks.”
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