ESSEX has one of the highest numbers of pupils with special educational needs in the country with boys almost three times more likely to have behavioural problems than girls, new figures show.

Statistics from the Department of Education show 6,086 children in the county have statements of special education needs, meaning they have been identified as needing extra support.

This puts Essex in third place behind Kent with 6,492 children and Birmingham, where 6,119 children are judged to be struggling.

The areas are among the three largest local authorities in England. However, the county council says Essex is in line with the national average, when the number of children needing special needs is viewed as a percentage.

The figures also showed that of the 220,890 pupils at state primary, secondary and special schools with special education needs, more were boys.

Boys were more likely to have behavioural, emotional or social difficulties – 17.2 per cent had this as their main reason for needing help compared to 6.2 per cent of girls.

Girls were more likely to have moderate learning difficulties – 22.6 per cent of girls had this as their main need, compared to 16.5 per cent of boys.

The Continuum School on Canvey caters for young people aged 14 to 16 with behavioural problems and has 14 male pupils and just two female pupils. But headteacher Richard Collier said figures mask a more complex picture.

He said: “There are more boys that come into us than girls, but as to the reasons why there is no straightforward answer.

“Some of these boys are perhaps more violent in behaviours they demonstrate and might be a bit more difficult to handle because they are bigger, which intimidates the teachers.

“There are lots of factors involved in why these young people will get to the situation where they come to us. Each child has his own individual issues.”

A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “Essex County Council is one of the largest local authorities in England, which is why we would have a higher number of children with special education needs statements when compared with smaller authorities.

“When you view this figure as a percentage of children in the county, Essex is in line with the national average.”