Assess Pupil Progress Across a Variety of Curriculums
We offer a wide range of assessment frameworks designed to fit alongside your school’s curriculum. Our frameworks work with a wide age range and a wide ability range. By combining the different frameworks into Connecting Steps you have an inclusive assessment system for all pupils. This page contains information for schools in England, if you are a school in Wales or Scotland, please visit the relevant section within our solutions section of the website
Can you compare frameworks?
We cannot use a singlesystem for all pupils. Each assessment framework has to align to the curriculum it is for.
Our frameworks use a range of level structures. Some are defined by the DfE, linking to End of Year outcomes etc. We have created our own level structures where there is no guidance from the DfE or it is not suitable.
Our frameworks are linked. Where frameworks have skills that overlap, these skills are linked. If a skill is achieved in one framework, it is achieved in the other. Any evidence or comments linked to an assessment point will appear in both frameworks. This simplifies transitioning from one framework to the next framework.
The following link will show you the comparison between the different frameworks and also the comparison against the pre-key stage standards and the old P Levels and National Curriculum Levels:
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
Are you looking for P Steps or Small Steps?
P Steps and Small Steps were based on the old P Levels and National Curriculum levels.
The P Steps and Small Steps were replaced in 2018 by 3 new frameworks – Engagement Steps, Primary Steps and Progression Steps. The Engagement Steps supports schools to implement the Engagement Model and assess pupils with complex needs working comparitively between P1 and P4 .
Primary Steps and Progression Steps are for pupils working above P4, that are engaged in subject specific learning. Primary Steps is designed for pupils in primary schools working out of their year group or below Year 1. Progression Steps is designed for specialist settings and secondary mainstream for their pupils with SEND.
Assessment for ALL pupils in Primary Schools
To reduce workload and costs for schools, we are developing Connecting Steps to work for all pupils. We have created 2 new frameworks (Development Matters and Primary Curriculum) to allow Connecting Steps to be used in mainstream primary schools for all pupils. Our 4 frameworks for primary schools are:
-
- Development Matters – for typically developing students working within the Early Years Foundation Stage.
- Early Steps – for students working within the Early Years Foundation Stage with SEND.
- Primary Curriculum – for students following the Primary National Curriculum working at age-related expectations (ARE).
- Primary Steps – for students following the Primary National Curriculum with SEND working below age-related expectations.
Our updated analysis platform will be released later in 2022. This will allow schools to combine the data for SEN and non-SEN pupils into a single data set automatically.
Cognition and Learning
Cognition refers to the thinking skills and thought processes that a child/young person has acquired through their prior experience. Learning refers to the acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or being taught. This generally refers to the learning outcomes based on the curriculum they are following.
We have created a range of frameworks to support individuals develop skills within Cognition and Learning. All of the curriculums and programmes of study from the Department for Education are focused on supporting the development of Cognition and Learning. Our frameworks for Cognition and Learning are:
-
- Early Steps – for students working within the Early Years Foundation Stage (Updated in 2021).
- Engagement Steps – for students not yet engaged in subject-specific learning (complex needs).
- Primary Steps – for students following the Primary National Curriculum working below age-related expectations.
- Progression Steps – for students engaged in subject-specific learning in key stages 1 to 4.
- Steps 4 Life – for students preparing for life after school, this framework is designed to be used mainly in key stage 4 and above.
In old money:
-
- Engagement Steps covers P1 to P6
- Progression Steps covers from P4 to Level 7
- Primary Steps covers from P4 to above Year 6 End of Year Outcome
- Steps 4 Life covers from P1 to RQF Level 2.
NOT SURE IF THE PRIMARY STEPS OR PROGRESSION STEPS IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Read our blog – Progression Steps, Primary Steps or Pre-Key Stage Standards? to find out the difference between the frameworks
Early Steps (Updated for the EYFS 2021)
Our NEW updated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) assessment covers the range from birth to the Early Learning Goals (ELG) and beyond. We have used the new EYFS 2021 Framework and the new 2020 Development Matters when developing this framework. Our Early Steps covers the seven areas:
-
- Mathematics
- Literacy
- Physical Development
- Communications and Language
- Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED)
- Understanding the World
- Expressive Arts and Design
The levelling structure of the new Development Matters document is different to previous frameworks and wasn’t designed with SEND in mind. It was however designed to reduce the burden on paperwork and assessment. The new Development Matters document has only 3 levels:
-
- Birth to 3
- 3 & 4 year olds
- Children in Reception
The EYFS Frameworks adds on the additional Early Learning Goals (ELG). We have taken the decision to 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. There are 4 levels between 0 and 12 months, each covering a developmental range of 3 months. There are 4 levels between 12 months and 36 months, each covering a developmental range of 6 months.
Primary Steps
Primary Steps is designed for pupils in primary settings working outside of their year group or below Year 1. Our Primary assessment breakdown containts end of year outcomes taken directly from the 2014 National Curriculum. We have broken these down into smaller steps so that teachers can show progress and identify next steps.Primary Steps includes the first 3 Progression Steps levels for pupils working below Year 1.
Our Primary Steps assessment content is available in 3 packs and covers the following subjects:
Core Pack
English
Maths
Science
Plus Pack
Computing
PSHE (Includes Relationship Education)
PE
Preparing for Adulthood
We have created a small Preparing for Adulthood framework that covers the 4 PFA areas. It uses the same level structure as the Progression Steps, so goes from a developmental stage of around 18 months to around the developmental stage of a typical 15-year-old.
It is not a big framework, it is not designed to be used on its own to support older learners. It has been created to be used alongside a subject based curriculum to the end of key stage 3. It works well with our Primary Steps or Progression Steps frameworks.
Our Steps 4 Life framework is a fuller framework designed for pupils in key stage 4 and above to support functional academic skills, life skills and employability skills. Pupils can transition from the PFA framework to Steps 4 Life and all the skills they have already acquired are automatically transferred.
Preparing for Adulthood (PFA)
Employment
Independent Living
Community Inclusion
Health
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
Engagement Steps
Engagement Steps is our assessment framework for pupils not yet engaged in subject-specific learning. It supports schools to use the Engagement Model. If you are unsure what the Engagement Model is, if it applies to your pupils or how you are supposed to embed the Engagement Model, please read our blog Who isn’t confused by the Engagement Model?
Engagement Steps was updated in 2022 and uses the following areas:
- Communication
– Attention Skills
– Communicating Preference and Choice
– Interaction - Functional Movement
– Fine Motor Skills
– Gross Motor Skills - Making Connections
– Cognitive - Self and Emotions
– Awareness
– Regulation - Sensory
The original approach had more areas and there was a lot of duplication. A skill might appear in Exploration, Receptive Communication, Social Affection and Auditory Operation. The skill is linked and only needs recording once, but the number of skills might seem intimidating.
The new approach has no duplication so the number of skills seems significantly reduced. All skills appear in both approaches.
From December 2022, all schools purchasing Engagement Steps will receive our new approach. All existing schools will find the new approach added on and can decide to use either approach.
Progression Steps
Progression Steps is designed for pupils who are engaging with subject-specific learning. This framework covers an ability range from pupils working at pre-key stage standards up to pupils working towards the lower GCSE grades. It is ideal for pupils in specialist settings or for pupils with SEND in secondary mainstream settings.
The Progression Steps covers a wide ability range and is designed for both primary age and secondary age pupils. The Progression Steps level structure was created by B Squared, but fits in with expectations set by the DfE.
The Preparing for Adulthood (PFA) is our latest pack. It is designed to be used up to Year 9 to help pupils prepare for life beyond education.
The Progression Steps assessment content is available in 5 packs and covers the following areas:
Core Pack
English
Maths
Science
Plus Pack
Citizenship
Computing
PSHE (Includes Relationship and Sex Education)
PE
Foundation Pack
Art & Design
Design & Technology
Geography
History
Languages
Music
Religious Education
Performing Arts
Acting
Singing
Dancing
Stagecraft
Steps 4 Life
Steps 4 Life is our framework for pupils with SEND who are working towards independent living. It is primarily designed to be used from Key Stage 4 onwards. Some individuals will be working towards independent living and employment while others will be working towards semi-independent living and others will be in supported living. Steps 4 Life covers a wide range of areas and a wide ability range, it includes 7 levels that are the equivalent of P1 to P8 which replace the old Milestones, Entry Levels 1, 2 and 3 and RQF Level 1 and 2.
The Steps 4 Life assessment content is available in 3 packs and covers the following areas:
Academic Skills Pack
English
Maths
PSD (Including Relationship & Sex Education)
Digital Skills
Life Skills Pack
Food
Independence
Self Care
Travel
Employability Skills Pack
Identifying a Job
Getting a Job
Your Rights
Workplace Routines
Workplace Skills
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
Additional Frameworks
Pupils with SEND need support in a wide range of areas. We have developed some additional frameworks to help school support pupils better, identify areas to support and show progress more holistically.
Autism Progress
Autism Progress has a set of progressive levels in the following areas of autism:
-
- Communication
- Flexibility of Thought
- Social Interaction
- Emotional Regulation
Each area goes from level 1 (around birth) to level 17 (early adulthood). A significant benefit of Autism Progress are the strategies that it contains, we have worked with experts to create a list of strategies for each area and each level to help support your students.
Communication & Interaction
The new Communication and Interaction framework aims to help members of staff to assess and monitor the developing abilities of the children and young people they work with so that staff are able to help those that need it. It does this by breaking communication down into the following areas:
-
- Spontaneous Verbal Communication
- Communicating with Spoken Language
- Communicating with Signed Language
- Communicating with Symbols
- Vocabulary, Parts of Words & Grammatical Structures
- Creating & Understanding Shared Meaning
- Recorded Verbal Communication
- Communicating with Symbols
- Vocabulary, Parts of Words & Grammatical Structures
- Creating & Understanding Shared Meaning
- Spelling Appendix
- Phonics Appendix
- Non-Verbal Communication
- Communicating with Faces, Bodies & Sounds
- Self-Expression
- Using Technology to Aid Communication
- Using Technology to Aid Communication
- Spontaneous Verbal Communication
Each area goes from level 1 (birth – 3 months) to level 16 (13 – 15years). The levels are based on typical development and students are likely to be working across a number of different levels, based on their needs.