Special Educational Needs: Dyscalculia

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Tuesday 10th March 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

I will repeat what I have said, and emphasise that the national inclusion standards cover all areas. We need to have universal approaches as well as the tools and approaches to identify and respond to the needs. Of course, dyscalculia is an important consideration, as are all the other conditions our young people face. That is how we are moving forward—to make sure that every young person’s needs are recognised and dealt with in an appropriate way, in order to give them the absolute maximum support to enable them to succeed.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, early identification of dyscalculia is so important. From personal experience, a quick and easy way to spot a child with this condition is at reception: when they write out numbers, they write them the wrong way round. Perhaps that is a quick and easy way for teachers to identify such pupils, so that help and support can be brought in from a very early age.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises a crucial point. I do not think there has been enough emphasis in early years on this whole area of SEND. What he says is an interesting idea. It is complex. As a Government we will make sure there is training right across the different phases, through early years, primary and secondary, to ensure recognition of different conditions coming forward. Expert advice will be on hand to give support to enable those children and young people to prosper.