SATs and Special Educational Needs
A reassuring guide covering access arrangements, your child's rights, and how to make SATs a positive experience for children with SEN.
SATs and Your Child’s Needs
If your child has special educational needs or a disability, SATs week can feel particularly daunting. You might wonder whether the tests are fair, what support is available, or whether your child should sit them at all.
The good news is that the system does have provisions in place. Schools can apply for a range of “access arrangements” that allow children with SEN to demonstrate what they know without being unfairly disadvantaged by their condition. In some cases, children can be disapplied from SATs entirely.
This guide explains what is available, how to request support, and what your rights are as a parent.
Access Arrangements Explained
Access arrangements are adjustments made to the way SATs are administered so that children with SEN can access the tests fairly. They do not change the content of the tests — they change the conditions under which a child sits them. Schools apply for these through the Standards and Testing Agency (STA) before SATs week, following the GOV.UK guidance on access arrangements.
Extra Time
Children who need additional time to process or record their answers can be given up to 25% extra time (or more in exceptional circumstances). This is common for children with dyslexia, processing difficulties, or physical disabilities that slow their writing. The child sits the same paper as everyone else but has longer to complete it.
Rest Breaks
Children with conditions that affect concentration — such as ADHD, anxiety, or chronic fatigue — can be allowed supervised rest breaks during the test. The timer is paused during breaks. The child might step away from the desk, have a drink, or simply pause before continuing.
Scribes
A scribe writes down the child’s answers for them. This is used when a child has a physical disability that makes writing very difficult or painful, or when their handwriting is so affected by their condition that it would prevent them from showing what they know. The scribe writes exactly what the child dictates — they cannot help with answers, spelling, or grammar (except in maths papers where spelling is not assessed).
Readers
A reader reads the test questions aloud to the child. This is available for the maths and GPS papers but not for the reading paper, since reading ability is what that test assesses. Readers are typically used for children with significant reading difficulties or visual impairments.
Other Arrangements
Additional options include modified or enlarged papers for children with visual impairments, Braille versions, the use of word processors (with spell-check disabled), separate rooms for children who need a quieter environment, and coloured overlays or paper. The range of adjustments is broad, and schools can apply for bespoke arrangements if standard options do not meet a child’s needs.
When a Child Can Be Disapplied
In some cases, a child may be disapplied from one or more SATs papers. This means they do not sit the test at all. Disapplication is usually considered when a child is working significantly below the level of the tests and would gain nothing from sitting them — for example, a child working at a pre-Key Stage 1 level.
The headteacher makes the decision to disapply a child, but they must consult with parents first. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), the plan itself may specify whether SATs are appropriate. You have the right to be involved in this discussion and to express your views.
If your child is disapplied, teacher assessments are still submitted to the local authority. These provide a record of your child’s attainment without the stress of a formal test.
Your Rights Under an EHCP
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the plan sets out the provision your child is entitled to receive. This includes during assessments. The school must ensure that the support described in the EHCP is in place during SATs week.
For example, if your child’s EHCP specifies that they receive one-to-one support, this should continue during the tests (though the adult cannot help with answers). If the plan specifies regular breaks, these should be incorporated into the test schedule.
If you feel the school is not providing the support your child is entitled to, speak to the SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) first. If the issue is not resolved, you can escalate to your local authority’s SEN team. The IPSEA charity (Independent Provider of Special Education Advice) also offers free legal advice to parents.
How to Request Access Arrangements
Access arrangements are applied for by the school, not by parents directly. However, you absolutely have the right to raise the topic and ask what support will be in place. Here is the process:
- 1.Speak to the SENCo early. Ideally, have this conversation in the autumn term of Year 6, well before SATs week. Ask what arrangements the school is planning for your child.
- 2.Provide evidence if needed. Some arrangements require evidence from educational psychologists or medical professionals. If your child has a formal diagnosis, make sure the school has copies of relevant reports.
- 3.The school applies to the STA. Schools submit applications for access arrangements before the deadline (usually several weeks before SATs week). The STA approves or queries each application.
- 4.Confirm the arrangements in writing. Ask the school to confirm exactly what support will be in place during each paper, so there are no surprises on the day.
Making SATs a Positive Experience
For children with SEN, the emotional side of SATs can be just as important as the academic side. Here are some ways to help:
- ✓Focus on personal bests. Frame SATs as a chance to show what they can do, not to compete with classmates. Every mark earned is an achievement.
- ✓Practise under test conditions. If your child will have extra time or rest breaks, practise with those same arrangements at home so they feel natural during SATs week.
- ✓Keep communication open. Talk to your child about how they are feeling. Some children with SEN may not express anxiety in obvious ways — watch for changes in behaviour, sleep, or appetite.
- ✓Celebrate the journey. Whether your child sits SATs or is disapplied, the progress they have made through primary school is worth celebrating. SATs are just one small part of their story.
Practising with Access Arrangements at Home
SATs Arcade includes a Learning Support system that lets you configure per-child settings so your child can practise under the same conditions they receive at school.
Needs more time on questions
Doubles the timer and allows pausing mid-question.
Gets overwhelmed by busy screens
Shorter sessions (5 questions), calmer celebrations, competitive features hidden.
Prefers a calm, quiet experience
No confetti, no sound effects — just focused practice.
Finds reading difficult
Dyslexia-friendly font, wider spacing, text-to-speech on all content, extra time.
Needs extra encouragement
Gentler feedback that focuses on effort and progress, not just scores.
Gets anxious about tests or timers
Hides the countdown timer and competitive features. Shorter sessions with encouraging feedback.
To set up: go to Parent Settings → Learning Support. Settings are saved per child — different children can have different preferences.
These settings help your child practise comfortably at home. They may not exactly replicate the access arrangements your child receives at school. For official exam accommodations, please speak to your child's class teacher or SENCo.
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