The government has now published its Schools White Paper. This is our response.
The White Paper represents another missed opportunity by the government to make a significant change which would improve the school experience for all children but most especially those with SEND. That change is substantial reform to primary statutory assessment – something that could be implemented with no financial cost to schools.
The government asked parents for their input to this white paper and, in November, 24 SEND parent groups wrote to Bridget Phillipson describing the devastating impact of SATs and other government tests on their children. They were fobbed off with a perfunctory response from the DfE.
The government says it wants to put inclusion at the heart of every school but throughout primary school, and particularly in year 6, there is too much focus on SATs and other government exams. The high-stakes nature of these assessments leads to teaching to the test, a narrowed curriculum and unnecessary stress and anxiety. For pupils with SEND, this is particularly acute: for many it causes school avoidance and a loss of love of learning at a critical point in their education. And for what? 76% of children with SEND don’t reach the expected standard in their SATs and start secondary with a badge of failure.
Meanwhile, a new target for five- and six- year-olds in the phonics check will only result in more time spent drilling our youngest children for an unnecessary test rather than learning to love reading. It should be noted that currently 80% of all year 1 children pass the phonics test, but that figure is only 43% for those with SEND.
SEND children are the canaries in the coal mine in primary exams, experiencing the worst of the negative effects of these unnecessary assessments. There are fairer, more inclusive ways to assess children’s progress and achievements in primary. Heads, teachers and parents agree: SATs fail all children but they fail SEND children the most.