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Curriculum and Assessment Review
The Curriculum and Assessment Review is shaking things up in schools, putting a real spotlight on inclusion—finally! The focus is on making sure no student gets left behind, no matter their background, ability, or what kind of day they’re having.
If you’re a SENCO or school leader, inclusion is your bread and butter, but this review cranks it up a notch. It’s all about building a curriculum that works for every student, especially those with SEND. The aim? Break down barriers, make the curriculum flexible, and ensure that teaching and assessment help every student shine. B Squared is here to help you roll with these changes, and we’re excited to show you how!
New Ofsted Inspection Framework
In case you missed it, the new Ofsted framework is doubling down on inclusion. Ofsted is now looking closely at how schools are supporting students with SEND and those from disadvantaged backgrounds—because every child deserves the chance to thrive, right?
What does that mean for schools? Time to make sure your SEN provision is up to scratch. Ofsted inspectors are digging into how well schools adapt to meet the needs of all pupils. Whether it’s through differentiated lessons, targeted interventions, or creating a supportive environment, schools must prove they’re removing the obstacles to learning for everyone. No pressure, right?
Inclusion is about recognising that every student is different—and that’s a good thing! Ofsted now expects schools to go the extra mile, providing personalised support to make sure all students can make progress, not just the high-flyers. So, for all you SENCOs and leadership teams, this is your time to shine.
Too Many Exams? You’re Not Alone!
Here’s something that might make you want to high-five OCR (or at least give them a nod): they’ve come out and said what we’ve all been thinking—there are too many exams! According to OCR, students in England spend over 30 hours in exam halls during GCSEs. That’s a lot of time sitting still!
Their latest report is calling for a rethink, suggesting we move away from the all-or-nothing, high-stakes exams at 16 and explore more holistic assessment methods. This is especially important for students with SEND, who might not thrive in traditional exam settings but excel in other areas. Less stress, more meaningful learning—what’s not to love?
The idea is to spread assessments over time and incorporate a wider range of methods so schools can better support all students, ensuring no one falls through the cracks. And hey, at B Squared, we’re all about this approach. Our tools are built to track progress continuously, capturing the strengths of every student without relying on one-off exams.
B Squared: Helping You Navigate the Changes
At B Squared, we’re passionate about making education more inclusive and flexible. The Curriculum and Assessment Review, the new Ofsted framework, and OCR’s recent recommendations are all pointing in the same direction—away from rigid, high-stakes assessments and toward a system that celebrates every student’s unique potential.
We’re here to help schools adapt to these changes with our assessment tools that work for all pupils, not just some. Using one system for SEND pupils and another for non-SEND? That’s not inclusion—that’s a divide! Let’s break down those barriers and make learning work for everyone.
