EAL pupils numbers on the rise
The latest statistics from the January 2011 school census illustrate that the number of EAL learners in primary and secondary schools has risen again and stands at 946,580. This is 14.5% of the school population (16.8% of primary pupils and 12.3% of secondary pupils) .Statistics going back to 1997 held by NALDIC trace the increase in the number of EAL learners.
A useful feature in the Guardian provides statistics for EAL learners, ethnic minority learners and those getting free school meals by local authority. For more details, go to
Guardian Datablog