Anna Maxwell Martin, the BAFTA-winning star of BBC sitcom Motherland, has issued a stark warning about the "devastating effects" of primary school SATs on children with special educational needs and disabilities.
Open letter demands assessment reform
The actress has joined forces with 22 parent groups and campaigners to deliver an open letter to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, calling for urgent reconsideration of primary assessment reforms. The letter states that the current SATs system "actively harms" children with SEND, leaving many disengaged from school as they transition to secondary education.
Ms Maxwell Martin, who has previously described navigating England's SEND system as a "gauntlet of horror", emphasised this represents a systemic failure rather than blaming individual teachers or headteachers. The 48-year-old mother of two said: "The Government needs to look much harder at how to make things better for children in schools, particularly children with SEND."
Damaging impact on children's wellbeing
The open letter reveals concerning statistics about the psychological impact of SATs on vulnerable learners. It states that the large proportion of children with SEND who fail SATs "spend their entire year 6 convinced they are not clever enough".
Recent polling conducted by Omnisis for campaign group 'More Than A Score' provides compelling evidence supporting these concerns. Among 520 SEND parents whose children didn't reach expected standards:
- 67% reported SATs results negatively impacted their child's willingness to attend school
- 50% said their child's self-esteem was damaged
- 50% believed SATs would have a lasting negative impact
The letter powerfully states: "They feel they don't belong. They try harder every day, but the odds are so stacked against them that the weight of it all eventually breaks them."
Government response and ongoing concerns
Despite these urgent calls for reform, the Government maintains its position on primary testing. Official data reveals that in 2025, only 24% of children with SEND passed their SATs by meeting expected standards in reading, writing and maths.
A Department for Education spokesperson defended the current system, stating: "Primary tests and assessments play a vital role in helping schools ensure every pupil can achieve and thrive, while also identifying those who need additional support."
While the Government announced minor changes to writing assessment and additional phonics support for Year 1 children with SEND, only minor amendments were suggested for Year 6 SATs. Campaigners argue the current system narrows the curriculum and encourages teaching to the test.
Kirsti Hadley from Generation Alphabet emphasised the timing urgency, noting: "Ahead of the Schools White Paper, Bridget Phillipson has said she wants to listen to parents, especially parents of children with SEND. So, we are saying loud and clear: think again about SATs."
The Government had been expected to outline SEND system reforms this autumn but Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson recently announced this would be delayed until 2026 to allow more consultation time with families and experts.
