Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what assessment he has made on the suitability of the criteria given to Ofsted inspectors when reviewing (a) special educational needs schools and (b) special educational needs bases in mainstream schools.

As part of school inspections, inspectors are required to report on the extent to which the education provided at the school meets the needs of pupils with special educational needs. The inspection criteria are the responsibility of HM Chief Inspector, and are set out in Ofsted’s framework and school inspection handbook.

Ofsted is currently reviewing its inspection arrangements and intends to introduce a new framework from September 2019. The Department is engaging with Ofsted on this.