Our first ever DISCO in Southampton was on Friday 14th March 2025; our second in the 2024/25 academic year, and the eighth since we launched our Data In Schools Conferences – Data DISCOs – in Autumn 2023. Data DISCOs were conceived as an opportunity to bring together colleagues across the schools sector to discuss the use of assessment and wider student data in schools in the decade since Levels were removed from the national curriculum; we liked the acronym almost as much as we like an actual disco!
DISCO South attracted attendees from all over the south, with delegates from London, Cornwall and Kent and all places in between. As ever, the day was packed with insights from a wide range of experts. Our guest speaker, Michael Tidd (Headteacher at East Preston Junior School, a few miles along the coast from Southampton) brought a school’s perspective to student data, with a session looking at keeping tracking of what we value. Josh Perry (SmartGrade and Carousel) discussed the importance of aligning assessment with the curriculum and updated us on changes in the MIS market. And of course, we heard from Insight team members James Pembroke (Director of Strategy) and Richard Selfridge (Education Data Consultant), who looked Ofsted’s view of data, standardised assessment, SEND and more.
Our final DISCO of this academic year is in Newcastle Upon Tyne on Friday 21st March, after which we’ll be planning next year’s events, so do let us know if you’d like a DISCO near you. If you were able to be with us in Southampton, thank you for coming, and if you are coming to a future event, be sure to say hello!
