VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Special Educational Needs

Asked by Melanie OnnLabourDepartment for EducationTabled Answered 21 August 2026UIN 13495

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps she has taken to Review Progress 8 measures and their effectiveness in supporting the outcomes for children with SEND.

Answered by Georgia Gould

The department’s accountability system must promote high standards and good progress for all.

We have recently consulted on an improved version of Progress 8 that maintains a strong academic core alongside breadth and choice for every child. As part of this consultation, we sought views on a possible new progress measure to recognise the progress of children who start secondary school significantly behind their peers.

This measure would sit alongside existing measures such as Progress 8 and is intended to provide additional insight into the progress of this subset of pupils, who are more likely to have special educational needs and disabilities. This measure would also sit alongside other information designed to support inclusion.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim