SEND Parents Decry 'Devastating' Impact of Primary School Tests

As of November 2025, a group of parents and campaigners, including actress Anna Maxwell Martin, are urging the Education Secretary to reform the primary school SATs system, which they claim has "devastating effects" on children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

Maxwell Martin, a mother of two who has previously spoken about navigating the SEND system, has joined 22 other parent groups in delivering an open letter to the Education Secretary. The letter states that the current SATs system "actively harms" SEND students, leaving many disengaged from school as they transition to secondary education. In 2025, only 24% of SEND students met the expected standards in reading, writing, and math.

The letter signatories argue that the high proportion of SEND students who fail SATs leaves them feeling inadequate and like they don't belong in the school system. They say the pressure of these tests takes a toll on SEND students' mental health and self-esteem, with half of surveyed parents reporting that SATs had a lasting negative impact on their child.

While the government has announced some changes to how writing is assessed and more support for SEND students in phonics, the letter's authors say the core SATs system remains largely unchanged. They are calling for a more inclusive approach that recognizes individual needs and mental health, rather than forcing SEND students into a system that "actively harms them."