Our latest Data In Schools Conference – our Data DISCO – took place on Friday 21st March 2025 in Newcastle Upon Tyne, marking the furthest north DISCO has reached since we launched our regular series of Data Conferences in 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 bring together interesting speakers from across the country to share insights into multiple aspects of school data.
Our guest speaker in Newcastle, Rob Coe (Director of Research and Development at Evidence Based Education) explored the quality of commercial assessments looked at how leaders can judge whether an assessment is fit for purpose. Josh Perry (SmartGrade and Carousel) discussed the importance of aligning assessment with the curriculum and updated us on changes in the MIS market and Insight team members James Pembroke (Director of Strategy) and Richard Selfridge (Education Data Consultant) looked at Ofsted’s view of data, standardised assessment, SEND and more.
This was the final DISCO of this academic year. We are 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 any of the events this year, thank you for coming, and if you are coming to a future event, be sure to say hello!