Assessing progress in special schools: Reviews and recommendations
Written by: Alex Tomkins
5 min read
Alex Tomkins, Headteacher, Greenside School and EdD student, University of Derby, UK
Assessment of students with SEND has been under debate for a long time, with several significant changes over the past few years. This article shares the journey on which special schools have been in terms of guidance on assessment, as well as how my school tries to solve the challenges of assessing this complex cohort. It aims to offer a view into a complex situation, where schools are often developing their own systems with which to assess.
Up until 2017, most special schools worked either within the National Curriculum assessment levels or used P levels. These ‘Pre’ levels were designed to offer a framework with which to assess progress for children presenting lower than the levels prescribed in the National Curriculum. Although they offered a common language, they were seen as unsuitable by many professionals (Aird, 2016). Children with SEND appeared to show only limited progress in my sett
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- Aidonopoulou‐Read T (2021) Can the engagement model act as a replacement for the P‐scale assessment system? Issues in monitoring the progress of students with autism and severe learning difficulties. Support for Learning 36(2): 258–277.
- Aird R (2016) Reflections on the review of assessment for pupils working below the standard of national curriculum tests (The Rochford Review) with particular regard to pupils with special educational needs and disabilities. Available at: https://onwardsandupwards.com/pdf/Reflections-on-the-Rochford-Review-Recommendations.pdf (accessed 19 March 2024).
- Carpenter B, Egerton J, Cockbill B et al. (2015) Engaging Learners with Complex Learning Difficulties and Disabilities: A Resource Book for Teachers and Teaching Assistants. Abingdon: Routledge.
- Department for Education (DfE) (2020) The engagement model: Guidance for maintained schools and academies (including free schools) and local authorities. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5f19be233a6f40727dc2e452/Engagement_Model_Guidance_2020.pdf (accessed 14 March 2024).
- McIntosh J (2015) Final report of the Commission on Assessment without Levels. Department for Education. Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a808bf9ed915d74e33fb0c7/Commission_on_Assessment_Without_Levels_-_report.pdf (accessed 19 March 2024).
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