Mike Kent is right (“Cough up before you slam SEN”, January 15). For about 1 per cent of children, conventional attainment targets are simply unachievable - and therefore, no indicator of life chances.

By assuming that these targets are relevant to every child, the Government’s special educational needs policy has abandoned this group. Rather, they should be assessed on how they are progressing towards an integrated life in the community - as opposed to a residential institution or worse.

Person-centred plans focus on the kind of support that is needed for this, and should form the basis of pupils’ individual education plans from the earliest years.

Chris Goodey, Assistant director, Centre for Studies on Inclusive Education, Bristol.