Waltham Forest SEND dataIndependent

How SEND services in Waltham Forest are performing. Every figure links to its public source.

Outcomes for children and young people with SEND

Results at the end of primary and secondary school, exclusions and attendance, for pupils with an EHC plan and pupils on SEN support. Cohorts are small, especially for EHC plans, so a change of a few pupils can move the percentage a lot from year to year. The latest year is often provisional.

End of Reception (early years foundation stage)

Good level of development at the end of Reception: children with an EHC plan

Children reaching the expected level in the early learning goals for communication, physical development, personal and social development, literacy and maths, assessed at the end of Reception.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 12.8% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 15.2% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 7.3% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 7.2% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 11.2% London, 2021/22: 4.6% London, 2022/23: 5.2% London, 2023/24: 4.6% London, 2024/25: 5.3% London, 2025/26: 6.3% England, 2021/22: 3.6% England, 2022/23: 3.8% England, 2023/24: 3.8% England, 2024/25: 4.0% England, 2025/26: 5.0% Waltham Forest 11.2% London 6.3% England 5.0%
Show the numbers
Area2021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest12.8%15.2%7.3%7.2%11.2%
London4.6%5.2%4.6%5.3%6.3%
England3.6%3.8%3.8%4.0%5.0%

Source: DfE, Early years foundation stage profile results: Headline measures by child characteristics (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Good level of development at the end of Reception: children on SEN support

Children reaching the expected level in the early learning goals for communication, physical development, personal and social development, literacy and maths, assessed at the end of Reception.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 35.9% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 34.1% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 39.1% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 41.2% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 40.8% London, 2021/22: 26.4% London, 2022/23: 26.3% London, 2023/24: 28.7% London, 2024/25: 30.8% London, 2025/26: 35.4% England, 2021/22: 22.9% England, 2022/23: 24.3% England, 2023/24: 24.9% England, 2024/25: 26.4% England, 2025/26: 30.7% Waltham Forest 40.8% London 35.4% England 30.7%
Show the numbers
Area2021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest35.9%34.1%39.1%41.2%40.8%
London26.4%26.3%28.7%30.8%35.4%
England22.9%24.3%24.9%26.4%30.7%

Source: DfE, Early years foundation stage profile results: Headline measures by child characteristics (downloaded 2026-10-25)

End of primary school (key stage 2)

Meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2): pupils with an EHC plan

Pupils at the end of primary school (Year 6) reaching the expected standard in all three of reading, writing and maths. No tests were taken in 2019/20 or 2020/21.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2018/19 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 16.4% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 14.6% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 16.5% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 27.5% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 22.6% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 35.3% London, 2018/19: 18.2% London, 2021/22: 18.6% London, 2022/23: 20.3% London, 2023/24: 23.0% London, 2024/25: 22.3% London, 2025/26: 23.1% England, 2018/19: 16.4% England, 2021/22: 16.2% England, 2022/23: 18.2% England, 2023/24: 19.3% England, 2024/25: 19.7% England, 2025/26: 20.7% Waltham Forest 35.3% London 23.1% England 20.7%
Show the numbers
Area2018/192021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest16.4%14.6%16.5%27.5%22.6%35.3%
London18.2%18.6%20.3%23.0%22.3%23.1%
England16.4%16.2%18.2%19.3%19.7%20.7%

Source: DfE, Key stage 2 attainment: Attainment by region, local authority and pupil characteristics (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (KS2): pupils on SEN support

Pupils at the end of primary school (Year 6) reaching the expected standard in all three of reading, writing and maths. No tests were taken in 2019/20 or 2020/21.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2018/19 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 54.7% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 57.7% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 55.4% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 69.3% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 68.3% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 67.7% London, 2018/19: 49.3% London, 2021/22: 53.5% London, 2022/23: 54.2% London, 2023/24: 58.5% London, 2024/25: 61.5% London, 2025/26: 62.7% England, 2018/19: 41.0% England, 2021/22: 43.9% England, 2022/23: 45.0% England, 2023/24: 48.0% England, 2024/25: 50.5% England, 2025/26: 51.6% Waltham Forest 67.7% London 62.7% England 51.6%
Show the numbers
Area2018/192021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest54.7%57.7%55.4%69.3%68.3%67.7%
London49.3%53.5%54.2%58.5%61.5%62.7%
England41.0%43.9%45.0%48.0%50.5%51.6%

Source: DfE, Key stage 2 attainment: Attainment by region, local authority and pupil characteristics (downloaded 2026-10-25)

End of secondary school (key stage 4)

Grade 4 or above in English and maths GCSE: pupils with an EHC plan

Pupils at the end of Year 11 achieving at least a grade 4 (a standard pass) in both English and maths, in all state-funded schools.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 8.7% Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 6.9% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 14.3% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 9.1% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 15.3% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 17.8% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 13.4% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 16.3% London, 2018/19: 13.9% London, 2019/20: 17.2% London, 2020/21: 18.8% London, 2021/22: 17.2% London, 2022/23: 16.0% London, 2023/24: 16.7% London, 2024/25: 18.3% London, 2025/26: 18.2% England, 2018/19: 11.1% England, 2019/20: 14.1% England, 2020/21: 15.8% England, 2021/22: 13.5% England, 2022/23: 13.0% England, 2023/24: 13.0% England, 2024/25: 14.1% England, 2025/26: 14.3% London 18.2% Waltham Forest 16.3% England 14.3%
Show the numbers
Area2018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest8.7%6.9%14.3%9.1%15.3%17.8%13.4%16.3%
London13.9%17.2%18.8%17.2%16.0%16.7%18.3%18.2%
England11.1%14.1%15.8%13.5%13.0%13.0%14.1%14.3%

Source: DfE, Key stage 4 performance: National characteristics summary data (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Grade 4 or above in English and maths GCSE: pupils on SEN support

Pupils at the end of Year 11 achieving at least a grade 4 (a standard pass) in both English and maths, in all state-funded schools.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 33.9% Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 43.2% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 42.0% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 37.1% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 37.2% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 42.2% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 37.8% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 50.4% London, 2018/19: 39.0% London, 2019/20: 47.3% London, 2020/21: 49.2% London, 2021/22: 47.7% London, 2022/23: 45.8% London, 2023/24: 47.6% London, 2024/25: 47.5% London, 2025/26: 50.1% England, 2018/19: 32.3% England, 2019/20: 39.9% England, 2020/21: 42.1% England, 2021/22: 39.1% England, 2022/23: 36.9% England, 2023/24: 37.7% England, 2024/25: 38.9% England, 2025/26: 40.3% Waltham Forest 50.4% London 50.1% England 40.3%
Show the numbers
Area2018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest33.9%43.2%42.0%37.1%37.2%42.2%37.8%50.4%
London39.0%47.3%49.2%47.7%45.8%47.6%47.5%50.1%
England32.3%39.9%42.1%39.1%36.9%37.7%38.9%40.3%

Source: DfE, Key stage 4 performance: National characteristics summary data (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Average Attainment 8 score: pupils with an EHC plan

Average GCSE-equivalent score across eight subjects at the end of Year 11, in all state-funded schools (including special schools).

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0 5 10 15 20 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 9.3 Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 11.5 Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 15.9 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 11.5 Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 14.3 Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 17.8 Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 13.7 Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 16.6 London, 2018/19: 15.6 London, 2019/20: 17.5 London, 2020/21: 18.4 London, 2021/22: 16.8 London, 2022/23: 16.4 London, 2023/24: 17.4 London, 2024/25: 18.0 London, 2025/26: 17.9 England, 2018/19: 13.7 England, 2019/20: 15.2 England, 2020/21: 15.7 England, 2021/22: 14.3 England, 2022/23: 14.0 England, 2023/24: 14.2 England, 2024/25: 14.8 England, 2025/26: 15.1 London 17.9 Waltham Forest 16.6 England 15.1
Show the numbers
Area2018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest9.311.515.911.514.317.813.716.6
London15.617.518.416.816.417.418.017.9
England13.715.215.714.314.014.214.815.1

Source: DfE, Key stage 4 performance: National characteristics summary data (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Average Attainment 8 score: pupils on SEN support

Average GCSE-equivalent score across eight subjects at the end of Year 11, in all state-funded schools (including special schools).

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0 12.5 25 37.5 50 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 2024/25 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 33.7 Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 38.0 Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 38.9 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 33.6 Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 33.0 Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 34.3 Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 33.4 Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 38.9 London, 2018/19: 36.1 London, 2019/20: 40.0 London, 2020/21: 40.3 London, 2021/22: 39.1 London, 2022/23: 38.1 London, 2023/24: 38.4 London, 2024/25: 38.7 London, 2025/26: 40.0 England, 2018/19: 32.6 England, 2019/20: 36.4 England, 2020/21: 36.7 England, 2021/22: 34.9 England, 2022/23: 33.3 England, 2023/24: 33.1 England, 2024/25: 33.8 England, 2025/26: 34.7 London 40.0 Waltham Forest 38.9 England 34.7
Show the numbers
Area2018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest33.738.038.933.633.034.333.438.9
London36.140.040.339.138.138.438.740.0
England32.636.436.734.933.333.133.834.7

Source: DfE, Key stage 4 performance: National characteristics summary data (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Suspensions and exclusions

Suspensions per 100 pupils with an EHC plan

The number of suspensions in the school year for every 100 pupils in the group. One pupil can be suspended more than once.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0 7.5 15 22.5 30 2006/07 2009/10 2012/13 2015/16 2018/19 2021/22 2024/25 Waltham Forest, 2006/07: 20.9 Waltham Forest, 2007/08: 23.1 Waltham Forest, 2008/09: 17.3 Waltham Forest, 2009/10: 14.3 Waltham Forest, 2010/11: 9.3 Waltham Forest, 2011/12: 10.9 Waltham Forest, 2012/13: 12.5 Waltham Forest, 2013/14: 15.3 Waltham Forest, 2014/15: 16.1 Waltham Forest, 2015/16: 10.8 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 11.4 Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 9.9 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 8.2 Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 4.6 Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 6.5 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 11.1 Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 13.9 Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 13.7 Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 15.7 London, 2022/23: 12.2 London, 2023/24: 13.9 London, 2024/25: 13.3 England, 2006/07: 20.7 England, 2007/08: 19.8 England, 2008/09: 18.4 England, 2009/10: 17.5 England, 2010/11: 17.3 England, 2011/12: 16.7 England, 2012/13: 14.9 England, 2013/14: 15.2 England, 2014/15: 15.1 England, 2015/16: 15.0 England, 2016/17: 15.9 England, 2017/18: 15.9 England, 2018/19: 16.1 England, 2019/20: 11.7 England, 2020/21: 13.0 England, 2021/22: 17.6 England, 2022/23: 21.6 England, 2023/24: 25.6 England, 2024/25: 26.5 England 26.5 Waltham Forest 15.7 London 13.3
Show the numbers
Area2006/072007/082008/092009/102010/112011/122012/132013/142014/152015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/25
Waltham Forest20.923.117.314.39.310.912.515.316.110.811.49.98.24.66.511.113.913.715.7
London––––––––––––––––12.213.913.3
England20.719.818.417.517.316.714.915.215.115.015.915.916.111.713.017.621.625.626.5

Source: DfE, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England: Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by characteristic (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Suspensions per 100 pupils on SEN support

The number of suspensions in the school year for every 100 pupils in the group. One pupil can be suspended more than once.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0 7.5 15 22.5 30 2006/07 2009/10 2012/13 2015/16 2018/19 2021/22 2024/25 Waltham Forest, 2006/07: 19.3 Waltham Forest, 2007/08: 15.0 Waltham Forest, 2008/09: 12.3 Waltham Forest, 2009/10: 10.4 Waltham Forest, 2010/11: 9.2 Waltham Forest, 2011/12: 8.1 Waltham Forest, 2012/13: 7.4 Waltham Forest, 2013/14: 7.7 Waltham Forest, 2014/15: 9.9 Waltham Forest, 2015/16: 10.2 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 10.6 Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 10.8 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 11.3 Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 6.1 Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 6.4 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 12.3 Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 12.2 Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 12.4 Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 11.7 London, 2022/23: 12.2 London, 2023/24: 13.7 London, 2024/25: 12.6 England, 2006/07: 16.5 England, 2007/08: 15.0 England, 2008/09: 13.9 England, 2009/10: 12.8 England, 2010/11: 12.7 England, 2011/12: 12.0 England, 2012/13: 10.7 England, 2013/14: 10.8 England, 2014/15: 12.3 England, 2015/16: 13.7 England, 2016/17: 14.8 England, 2017/18: 15.1 England, 2018/19: 15.6 England, 2019/20: 11.0 England, 2020/21: 11.9 England, 2021/22: 18.6 England, 2022/23: 24.4 England, 2023/24: 29.4 England, 2024/25: 28.9 England 28.9 London 12.6 Waltham Forest 11.7
Show the numbers
Area2006/072007/082008/092009/102010/112011/122012/132013/142014/152015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/25
Waltham Forest19.315.012.310.49.28.17.47.79.910.210.610.811.36.16.412.312.212.411.7
London––––––––––––––––12.213.712.6
England16.515.013.912.812.712.010.710.812.313.714.815.115.611.011.918.624.429.428.9

Source: DfE, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England: Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by characteristic (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Permanent exclusions per 100 pupils with an EHC plan

Permanent exclusions in the school year for every 100 pupils in the group.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0 0.2 0.5 0.8 1 2006/07 2009/10 2012/13 2015/16 2018/19 2021/22 2024/25 Waltham Forest, 2006/07: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2007/08: 0.2 Waltham Forest, 2008/09: 0.0 Waltham Forest, 2009/10: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2010/11: 0.0 Waltham Forest, 2011/12: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2012/13: 0.0 Waltham Forest, 2013/14: 0.0 Waltham Forest, 2014/15: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2015/16: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 0.2 Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 0.3 Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 0.2 Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 0.1 Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 0.2 Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 0.2 Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 0.3 London, 2022/23: 0.1 London, 2023/24: 0.1 London, 2024/25: 0.1 England, 2006/07: 0.4 England, 2007/08: 0.3 England, 2008/09: 0.2 England, 2009/10: 0.2 England, 2010/11: 0.2 England, 2011/12: 0.2 England, 2012/13: 0.2 England, 2013/14: 0.2 England, 2014/15: 0.2 England, 2015/16: 0.2 England, 2016/17: 0.2 England, 2017/18: 0.2 England, 2018/19: 0.2 England, 2019/20: 0.1 England, 2020/21: 0.1 England, 2021/22: 0.1 England, 2022/23: 0.2 England, 2023/24: 0.3 England, 2024/25: 0.3 Waltham Forest 0.3 England 0.3 London 0.1
Show the numbers
Area2006/072007/082008/092009/102010/112011/122012/132013/142014/152015/162016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/242024/25
Waltham Forest0.10.20.00.10.00.10.00.00.10.10.20.30.10.20.10.10.20.20.3
London––––––––––––––––0.10.10.1
England0.40.30.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.20.10.10.10.20.30.3

Source: DfE, Suspensions and permanent exclusions in England: Suspensions and permanent exclusions - by characteristic (downloaded 2026-10-25)

The council's own figures

The improvement plan also tracks exclusions and suspensions from the council's own records. They may be counted differently from the DfE statistics. They show suspensions of pupils with an EHC plan almost doubling between 2023/24 and 2024/25.

Item2023/242024/25
Permanent exclusions (all pupils)11043
of which pupils with an EHC plan2010
of which pupils on SEN support3114
Suspensions (all pupils)1,9511,987
of which pupils with an EHC plan199378
of which pupils on SEN support557715

Source: London Borough of Waltham Forest, SEND Local Area Improvement Plan - Highlight Report (September 2025) (October 2025), p. 16. These are the council's own monitoring figures and may not match the DfE statistics above.

Attendance

Persistently absent: pupils with an EHC plan

Share of pupils who missed 10% or more of sessions in the autumn and spring terms.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 15% 30% 45% 60% 2016/17 2018/19 2021/22 2023/24 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 25.7% Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 27.2% Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 22.9% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 53.5% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 33.6% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 34.3% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 31.9% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 31.1% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 30.9% London, 2024/25: 31.6% London, 2025/26: 31.2% England, 2016/17: 23.7% England, 2017/18: 25.5% England, 2018/19: 24.3% England, 2020/21: 42.2% England, 2021/22: 36.6% England, 2022/23: 36.3% England, 2023/24: 34.8% England, 2024/25: 33.8% England, 2025/26: 33.8% England 33.8% London 31.2% Waltham Forest 30.9%

London boroughs, 2025/26

  1. 1Richmond upon Thames: 25.9%
  2. 2Lewisham: 27.4%
  3. 3Brent: 28.2%
  4. 4Harrow: 28.3%
  5. 5Hackney: 28.7%
  6. 6Greenwich: 29.3%
  7. 7Kingston upon Thames: 29.5%
  8. 8Havering: 29.6%
  9. 9Kensington and Chelsea: 29.7%
  10. 10Barnet: 29.9%
  11. 11Ealing: 30.1%
  12. 12Merton: 30.3%
  13. 13Westminster: 30.7%
  14. 14Haringey: 30.8%
  15. 15Waltham Forest30.9%
  16. 16Lambeth: 30.9%
  17. 17Southwark: 30.9%
  18. 18Redbridge: 31.0%
  19. 19Sutton: 31.0%
  20. 20Bexley: 31.3%
  21. 21Enfield: 31.3%
  22. 22Croydon: 31.5%
  23. 23Hammersmith and Fulham: 31.5%
  24. 24Hounslow: 31.8%
  25. 25Bromley: 32.2%
  26. 26Tower Hamlets: 33.1%
  27. 27Barking and Dagenham: 34.0%
  28. 28Hillingdon: 34.5%
  29. 29Wandsworth: 34.9%
  30. 30Islington: 34.9%
  31. 31Newham: 35.4%
  32. 32Camden: 39.6%
Show the numbers
Area2016/172017/182018/192020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest25.7%27.2%22.9%53.5%33.6%34.3%31.9%31.1%30.9%
London–––––––31.6%31.2%
England23.7%25.5%24.3%42.2%36.6%36.3%34.8%33.8%33.8%

Source: DfE, Pupil absence in schools in England: Absence by pupil characteristics - autumn and spring terms combined (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Persistently absent: pupils on SEN support

Share of pupils who missed 10% or more of sessions in the autumn and spring terms.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 2016/17 2018/19 2021/22 2023/24 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 16.4% Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 17.9% Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 15.2% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 16.3% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 25.3% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 25.8% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 23.4% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 24.8% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 23.5% London, 2024/25: 24.8% London, 2025/26: 23.9% England, 2016/17: 17.4% England, 2017/18: 18.4% England, 2018/19: 17.2% England, 2020/21: 16.2% England, 2021/22: 31.2% England, 2022/23: 30.8% England, 2023/24: 28.9% England, 2024/25: 26.8% England, 2025/26: 26.5% England 26.5% London 23.9% Waltham Forest 23.5%

London boroughs, 2025/26

  1. 1Barnet: 19.9%
  2. 2Kingston upon Thames: 21.0%
  3. 3Richmond upon Thames: 21.2%
  4. 4Bromley: 21.3%
  5. 5Lewisham: 21.4%
  6. 6Merton: 21.8%
  7. 7Brent: 22.0%
  8. 8Haringey: 22.5%
  9. 9Redbridge: 22.6%
  10. 10Greenwich: 22.8%
  11. 11Hammersmith and Fulham: 22.9%
  12. 12Bexley: 22.9%
  13. 13Ealing: 23.1%
  14. 14Harrow: 23.4%
  15. 15Barking and Dagenham: 23.4%
  16. 16Wandsworth: 23.5%
  17. 17Waltham Forest23.5%
  18. 18Newham: 23.9%
  19. 19Hackney: 23.9%
  20. 20Southwark: 24.0%
  21. 21Havering: 24.5%
  22. 22Tower Hamlets: 24.7%
  23. 23Hounslow: 25.3%
  24. 24Enfield: 25.5%
  25. 25Croydon: 25.8%
  26. 26Sutton: 25.9%
  27. 27Lambeth: 26.3%
  28. 28Islington: 27.2%
  29. 29Hillingdon: 27.4%
  30. 30Kensington and Chelsea: 28.2%
  31. 31Westminster: 28.3%
  32. 32Camden: 31.5%
Show the numbers
Area2016/172017/182018/192020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest16.4%17.9%15.2%16.3%25.3%25.8%23.4%24.8%23.5%
London–––––––24.8%23.9%
England17.4%18.4%17.2%16.2%31.2%30.8%28.9%26.8%26.5%

Source: DfE, Pupil absence in schools in England: Absence by pupil characteristics - autumn and spring terms combined (downloaded 2026-10-25)

Overall absence: pupils with an EHC plan

Share of school sessions missed, for any reason, in the autumn and spring terms. Each year's figure covers those two terms only.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 2016/17 2018/19 2021/22 2023/24 2025/26 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 9.0% Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 8.9% Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 8.3% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 17.4% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 10.0% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 10.5% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 10.6% Waltham Forest, 2024/25: 10.7% Waltham Forest, 2025/26: 10.5% London, 2024/25: 10.6% London, 2025/26: 10.7% England, 2016/17: 8.2% England, 2017/18: 8.7% England, 2018/19: 8.6% England, 2020/21: 14.6% England, 2021/22: 12.1% England, 2022/23: 12.4% England, 2023/24: 12.5% England, 2024/25: 12.7% England, 2025/26: 13.0% England 13.0% London 10.7% Waltham Forest 10.5%
Show the numbers
Area2016/172017/182018/192020/212021/222022/232023/242024/252025/26
Waltham Forest9.0%8.9%8.3%17.4%10.0%10.5%10.6%10.7%10.5%
London–––––––10.6%10.7%
England8.2%8.7%8.6%14.6%12.1%12.4%12.5%12.7%13.0%

Source: DfE, Pupil absence in schools in England: Absence by pupil characteristics - autumn and spring terms combined (downloaded 2026-10-25)

The council's own figures

These come from the council's improvement plan. They are attendance rather than absence, and cover full school years.

Item2023/242024/25
Pupils with an EHC plan89.3%89.44%
Pupils on SEN support92.1%91.8%
Pupils with no SEN94.4%n/a
All pupils93.7%93.8%

Source: London Borough of Waltham Forest, SEND Local Area Improvement Plan - Highlight Report (September 2025) (October 2025), p. 16

After school

In education, employment or an apprenticeship after Year 11: pupils with an EHC plan

Pupils who stayed in education, employment or an apprenticeship for at least two terms in the year after finishing Year 11. The year shown is the year they left Year 11. The latest year is provisional.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 91.0% Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 90.4% Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 92.9% Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 92.1% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 93.2% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 91.6% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 93.0% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 85.9% London, 2016/17: 91.3% London, 2017/18: 92.3% London, 2018/19: 91.6% London, 2019/20: 92.4% London, 2020/21: 91.7% London, 2021/22: 90.1% London, 2022/23: 90.8% London, 2023/24: 89.2% England, 2016/17: 89.8% England, 2017/18: 89.0% England, 2018/19: 88.9% England, 2019/20: 89.7% England, 2020/21: 89.1% England, 2021/22: 87.2% England, 2022/23: 87.1% England, 2023/24: 85.9% London 89.2% England 85.9% Waltham Forest 85.9%
Show the numbers
Area2016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24
Waltham Forest91.0%90.4%92.9%92.1%93.2%91.6%93.0%85.9%
London91.3%92.3%91.6%92.4%91.7%90.1%90.8%89.2%
England89.8%89.0%88.9%89.7%89.1%87.2%87.1%85.9%

Source: DfE, Key stage 4 destination measures: Key stage 4 destination measures (downloaded 2026-10-25)

In education, employment or an apprenticeship after Year 11: pupils on SEN support

Pupils who stayed in education, employment or an apprenticeship for at least two terms in the year after finishing Year 11. The year shown is the year they left Year 11. The latest year is provisional.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 25% 50% 75% 100% 2016/17 2017/18 2018/19 2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24 Waltham Forest, 2016/17: 89.7% Waltham Forest, 2017/18: 88.7% Waltham Forest, 2018/19: 91.5% Waltham Forest, 2019/20: 89.9% Waltham Forest, 2020/21: 92.0% Waltham Forest, 2021/22: 86.0% Waltham Forest, 2022/23: 87.4% Waltham Forest, 2023/24: 86.8% London, 2016/17: 89.6% London, 2017/18: 88.8% London, 2018/19: 89.3% London, 2019/20: 90.4% London, 2020/21: 90.4% London, 2021/22: 88.6% London, 2022/23: 88.0% London, 2023/24: 87.4% England, 2016/17: 87.6% England, 2017/18: 87.7% England, 2018/19: 87.4% England, 2019/20: 87.9% England, 2020/21: 87.0% England, 2021/22: 85.3% England, 2022/23: 84.6% England, 2023/24: 84.4% London 87.4% Waltham Forest 86.8% England 84.4%
Show the numbers
Area2016/172017/182018/192019/202020/212021/222022/232023/24
Waltham Forest89.7%88.7%91.5%89.9%92.0%86.0%87.4%86.8%
London89.6%88.8%89.3%90.4%90.4%88.6%88.0%87.4%
England87.6%87.7%87.4%87.9%87.0%85.3%84.6%84.4%

Source: DfE, Key stage 4 destination measures: Key stage 4 destination measures (downloaded 2026-10-25)

16 and 17 year olds not in education, employment or training, or not known: young people with an EHC plan

Average of December, January and February. Includes young people whose activity the council does not know, as the DfE's headline measure does.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 3.1% 6.2% 9.4% 12.5% 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Waltham Forest, 2019: 3.4% Waltham Forest, 2020: 5.9% Waltham Forest, 2021: 2.5% Waltham Forest, 2022: 0.4% Waltham Forest, 2023: 1.5% Waltham Forest, 2024: 2.4% Waltham Forest, 2025: 5.1% Waltham Forest, 2026: 7.0% London, 2019: 6.7% London, 2020: 6.9% London, 2021: 6.0% London, 2022: 5.3% London, 2023: 5.4% London, 2024: 6.3% London, 2025: 6.0% London, 2026: 6.0% England, 2019: 9.2% England, 2020: 9.4% England, 2021: 9.3% England, 2022: 8.6% England, 2023: 10.1% England, 2024: 10.2% England, 2025: 10.1% England, 2026: 9.9% England 9.9% Waltham Forest 7.0% London 6.0%

London boroughs, 2026

  1. 1Enfield: 0.9%
  2. 2Merton: 3.0%
  3. 3Southwark: 3.0%
  4. 4Harrow: 3.4%
  5. 5Bromley: 3.5%
  6. 6Ealing: 3.6%
  7. 7Richmond upon Thames: 3.8%
  8. 8Hounslow: 4.0%
  9. 9Tower Hamlets: 4.1%
  10. 10Barnet: 4.2%
  11. 11Brent: 4.2%
  12. 12Kingston upon Thames: 4.5%
  13. 13Kensington and Chelsea: 4.6%
  14. 14Sutton: 5.3%
  15. 15Havering: 5.6%
  16. 16Redbridge: 6.1%
  17. 17Lambeth: 6.1%
  18. 18Bexley: 6.2%
  19. 19Islington: 6.2%
  20. 20Newham: 6.8%
  21. 21Waltham Forest7.0%
  22. 22Greenwich: 7.2%
  23. 23Barking and Dagenham: 7.4%
  24. 24Hammersmith and Fulham: 7.6%
  25. 25Westminster: 8.0%
  26. 26Haringey: 8.4%
  27. 27Croydon: 8.9%
  28. 28Wandsworth: 9.7%
  29. 29Hackney: 9.7%
  30. 30Camden: 9.9%
  31. 31Lewisham: 10.6%
  32. 32Hillingdon: 11.6%
Show the numbers
Area20192020202120222023202420252026
Waltham Forest3.4%5.9%2.5%0.4%1.5%2.4%5.1%7.0%
London6.7%6.9%6.0%5.3%5.4%6.3%6.0%6.0%
England9.2%9.4%9.3%8.6%10.1%10.2%10.1%9.9%

Source: DfE, Participation in education, training and NEET age 16 to 17 by local authority: NEET by characteristics (downloaded 2026-10-25)

16 and 17 year olds not in education, employment or training, or not known: young people on SEN support

Average of December, January and February. Includes young people whose activity the council does not know, as the DfE's headline measure does.

Waltham ForestLondonEngland
0% 3% 6% 9% 12% 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 Waltham Forest, 2020: 0.0% Waltham Forest, 2021: 6.1% Waltham Forest, 2023: 2.3% Waltham Forest, 2024: 1.2% Waltham Forest, 2025: 1.6% Waltham Forest, 2026: 4.0% London, 2019: 7.8% London, 2020: 7.8% London, 2021: 7.8% London, 2022: 6.0% London, 2023: 5.8% London, 2024: 6.0% London, 2025: 6.0% London, 2026: 5.8% England, 2019: 9.2% England, 2020: 9.2% England, 2021: 9.6% England, 2022: 8.4% England, 2023: 9.3% England, 2024: 9.6% England, 2025: 9.6% England, 2026: 10.0% England 10.0% London 5.8% Waltham Forest 4.0%

London boroughs, 2026

  1. 1Ealing: 0.7%
  2. 2Barnet: 1.8%
  3. 3Hammersmith and Fulham: 2.8%
  4. 4Brent: 3.7%
  5. 5Bromley: 3.8%
  6. 6Waltham Forest4.0%
  7. 7Richmond upon Thames: 4.3%
  8. 8Kingston upon Thames: 4.5%
  9. 9Havering: 4.7%
  10. 10Greenwich: 4.9%
  11. 11Bexley: 4.9%
  12. 12Merton: 5.5%
  13. 13Harrow: 5.8%
  14. 14Hackney: 5.9%
  15. 15Wandsworth: 6.1%
  16. 16Tower Hamlets: 6.2%
  17. 17Hounslow: 6.5%
  18. 18Lambeth: 6.6%
  19. 19Redbridge: 6.8%
  20. 20Lewisham: 6.8%
  21. 21Newham: 7.4%
  22. 22Southwark: 7.5%
  23. 23Camden: 7.5%
  24. 24Islington: 8.1%
  25. 25Croydon: 8.4%
  26. 26Sutton: 9.0%
  27. 27Hillingdon: 9.5%
  28. 28Westminster: 12.2%
  29. 29Enfield: 12.2%
  30. 30Barking and Dagenham: 12.7%
  31. 31Kensington and Chelsea: 12.9%
Show the numbers
Area20192020202120222023202420252026
Waltham Forest–0.0%6.1%–2.3%1.2%1.6%4.0%
London7.8%7.8%7.8%6.0%5.8%6.0%6.0%5.8%
England9.2%9.2%9.6%8.4%9.3%9.6%9.6%10.0%

Source: DfE, Participation in education, training and NEET age 16 to 17 by local authority: NEET by characteristics (downloaded 2026-10-25)

The council's own figures

Of 351 young people in Years 12 and 13 with an EHC plan, 339 (97%) were in education, employment or training and 12 (3%) were not. This is a three-month average for 2024/25 (London Borough of Waltham Forest, SEND Local Area Improvement Plan - Highlight Report (September 2025) (October 2025), p. 17). There is no baseline yet for young people aged 18 and over.