Statutory guidance

P scales: attainment targets for pupils with SEN

Performance (P scale) attainment targets for pupils with special educational needs (SEN).

Published 16 July 2014
Last updated 2 June 2017 — see all updates
From:
Department for Education and Standards and Testing Agency
Applies to:
England

Documents

Details

Schools should continue to assess pupils using P scales 1-4 in 2018/19 and 2019/20. P scales 5-8 have been replaced by the pre-key stage standards for KS1 and KS2.

This guidance is for:

  • headteachers
  • governing bodies
  • local authorities

It applies to:

  • local-authority-maintained schools
  • academies and free schools
  • non-maintained special schools
  • local authorities

It specifies performance attainment targets (P scales) and performance descriptors for pupils aged 5 to 16 with special educational needs (SEN) who are working below the standard of the national curriculum tests and assessments, and not yet engaged in subject-specific study.

Statutory guidance sets out what schools and local authorities must do to comply with the law. You should follow the guidance unless you have a very good reason not to.

Published 16 July 2014
Last updated 2 June 2017 + show all updates
  1. Added information on the introduction of pre-key stage standards to assess pupils working below the standard of the national curriculum tests.
  2. First published.

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