To investigate the distribution of the motivational styles of learned helplessness, self-worth motive and mastery orientation in pupils with special needs. Also to investigate the effects of transfer from primary to secondary school, gender and ethnicity on motivational style. Motivational style; gender; ethnicity; special educational needs; primary- secondary school transfer. Measurement Scales Origin-pawn scales - De Charms, R., <i>Enhancing motivation : change in the classroom</i> (New York: Irvington, 1976. Motivation orientation scale - Nicholls, J.G.,<i>The competitive ethos and democratic education</i> (London: Harvard University Press, 1989). For further details see documentation.