Tracking Pupil Progress Simplified

Connecting Steps is our market leading pupil tracking software that makes showing progress for ALL pupils easy. Connecting Steps is widely recommended by advisors and local authorities and receives great feedback from inspectors.

Over the last 25 years, we have constantly updated our assessment frameworks, our assessment software and released new products. Connecting Steps V5, our latest version is designed to be faster, simpler and easier. At the same time, it offers even more ways to show progress, so that it can capture all the progress pupils with SEND make.

Our latest assessment frameworks for pupils working at Age Related Expectations (Development Matters and Primary Curriculum) allow Connecting Steps to be used in mainstream primary schools for all pupils. Our new Analytics Platform combines the data for SEN and non-SEN pupils into a single data set automatically, simplifying the assessment process, removing the need for two assessment systems and saving schools money and time.

Connecting Steps V5 Assessment Software

What is Connecting Steps?

 

Show Progress for Pupils with SEND

Connecting Steps is the most popular and effective assessment software for pupils with SEND. A wide range of frameworks that are built into Connecting Steps helps schools get up and running as quickly as possible.

Connecting Steps is the standard assessment system for pupils with SEND across a number of authorities in the UK. The simple interface, powerful features and flexible approach to progress means it works for a wide range of pupils. Connecting Steps V5 brings even more features and now works on iPads and other tablet devices.

Assess

Connecting Steps makes recording achievements simple. As well as being able to record the skills pupils achieve, you can also record the steps as they work towards it.

Engagement

Before pupils can achieve a skill, they need to engage. Connecting Steps can show the engagement levels of pupils and show the progress as engagement increases.

Graph

Connecting Steps makes showing small steps of progress simple. Progress can be shown in lots of ways, including engagement and non-linear progress. 

Want to find out how connecting steps simplifies assessment?

Click on the button to arrange a FREE online meeting to find out how we can help make assessment easier for your school

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Show Progress for
ALL Pupils

Within Connecting Steps we have a wide range of assessment frameworks that support a wide ability range and age range.

Since the removal of Levels (2014) and P Levels (2018) schools have the flexibility to choose how to assess pupil progress. For pupils working at Age Related Expectations (ARE), this is relatively simple. 

Schools have found it a challenge to show progress for pupils working below ARE or out of their year group. Some schools assess pupils as simply ‘working below’. This is not good enough. It is important schools are able to identify where a pupil is working, the progress the pupil has made and what those next steps will be.

Our assessment frameworks can show the small steps of progress pupils make from birth to 25

Assessment
Frameworks

We have created assessment frameworks for Early Years, primary, secondary and post-16. They support pupils engaged in subject specific learning and those not yet engaged in subject specific learning.

*NEW for typically developing pupils working within the Early Years Foundation Stage

*NEW for pupils following the Primary National Curriculum working at Age Related Expectations

primary curriculum

Early Steps (2021)

Our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) assessment covers the range from birth to the Early Learning Goals (ELG). The framework links to the EYFS 2021 Framework and the new 2020 Development Matters. We have split the 0-3 into 8 levels, so that settings with pupils with SEND can show progress for these children and help profile their needs. 

Engagement Steps

Our Engagement Steps has been designed to support ‘The Engagement Model’. It has been created for pupils working below the pre-key stage standards, who aren’t engaged in subject specific learning.

Primary Steps

Primary Steps has been designed to support pupils in primary schools that are either working below Year 1 or out of their year group. It supports teachers to show progress and identify next steps.

Progression Steps

Progression Steps has been designed for schools who don’t want to use end of year outcomes when discussing attainment. Schools who typically use Progression Steps are Specialist settings or pupils with SEND in mainstream secondary schools.

Our Frameworks Work Together

Each framework has its own levelling system, often based on government guidance. Click on the button to view our Framework Comparison Chart, it shows you the ability range of each framework and how they compare. Any skill that appears in multiple frameworks are linked, this simplifies transitioning between frameworks.

For more information on our different frameworks, visit the Curriculums and Subjects page

Watch this Connecting Steps Review by SENsible SENCO

Abigail Hawkins created SENsible SENCO to help out all SENCOs across the UK

The SENsible SENCO is a selection of resources developed around SEN and the needs for SENCOs within schools. The resources have all been shared by SENCOs. Whenever you need support the SENsible SENCO resource bank is there! And it’s FREE!!!

Click on the logo to check out the SENsible SENCO website!

SENsible SENCO

What do our Customers Say?

Connecting Steps V5 is a massive improvement on V4. It is much more user friendly and intuitive to use. The software is much quicker and has some incredibly useful features, especially around reporting. The support services have been extremely effective and swiftly dealt with, resolving issue I have found while using the software

Dave Jones / Peak School

Great system to help show how our children progress. The framework we use fits in well with the whole school. The team answer questions quickly and if they can’t help there is always someone who will. The framework has helped our teachers differentiate and trust in what they are teaching our children with SEN.

Rose / Icknield Primary

In a quick glance, you can see the progress a child makes. It is easy to use and quick to get a progress update. It takes a while to fill in initially, but when you have it all set up, it works well.

Jacqui / Broadwater Down School

Want an easy way to show pupil progress?

Click on the button to arrange a FREE online meeting to find out how we can help make assessment easier for your school

Book a FREE Online Meeting

Connecting Steps in Primary Schools

Connecting Steps V5 is designed to be the only pupil tracker primary schools need. A large number of primary schools use two tracking systems, one for pupils working at Age Related Expectations (ARE) and one for pupils with SEND, working significantly below ARE. Using two systems increases the cost to schools, requires addition time to assess pupils and lots of time and complexity managing both systems and providing a whole school picture. Connecting Steps V5 can simplify the process, help schools to be more effective and save schools both time and money.

Early Years

Our Early Steps framework is designed to be used with pupils with SEND, for pupils working at age related expecations you can use our Development Matters to assess and show progress.

Primary

Our Primary Steps framework has end of year outcomes broken down and 3 levels below Year 1 for pupils with SEND. Our Primary Curriculum option is designed for those working at or near age related expecations.

Whole School Data

Our Analysis system makes whole school data easy. Data for pupils working at age related expectations and pupils with SEND is merged together automatically. All graphs and reports are created with a few clicks, giving a clear whole school overview.

INTERESTED IN USING CONNECTING STEPS WITH ALL PUPILS?

Click on the button to arrange a FREE online meeting to find out how Connecting Steps can reduce teacher workload, save money and increase effectiveness.

Book a FREE Online Meeting

Training and Support

It is important to us that our customers feel supported and are confident in using our products. Our support is completely FREE and we also have over 40 FREE training videos to help our customers learn how to use the software and get the most out of it. Most schools do not need to purchase training from us. All our support and training content can be accessed by visiting our support site…

support.bsquared.co.uk

“Since subscribing to BSquared we found the help and instructions to be really clear and enabled us to set up the system for our school quickly and without any problems. The online training videos for staff have been a fantastic resource, especially at this time of remote working and learning. They are really easy to use and follow and our staff team have commented on how good they were and how they already feel confident to use the system.”

Claire, Old Hall School

More Information

Connecting Steps had it’s own dedicated website with even more information on it’s features and how it can be used with all pupils in primary settings. You will also find the latest news about new features and new content.

www.connectingsteps.com