Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what discussions she has had with Ofsted on how inspections assess support for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities moving into further and higher education.

Although Ofsted inspections do not directly evaluate this support, Ofsted’s expectations for pupils’ achievement, regardless of their context or background, are high. Ofsted expects leaders to take all steps they can to identify and meet the needs of the most vulnerable pupils, including those with special educational needs and disabilities and those who face other barriers to their learning and or wellbeing.

Inspectors will ask leaders and staff about how they effectively support such pupils, as well as visiting classes or group times, reviewing pupils’ work and speaking with pupils to understand their experiences, the support they receive and the progress they are making. Inspectors will look at post key stage 4 and post-18 destinations data for all pupils and specifically for disadvantaged pupils in assessing the support they receive.