Progress over passes: Supporting The Forgotten Third with baseline data and curriculum reform 

Webinar information

Every year, around a third of students leave school without achieving a standard pass in English or maths. When needs go unnoticed early on, the outcome is years of resits, fewer pathways forward and lasting damage to wellbeing and confidence — challenges that weigh most heavily on disadvantaged students. What if we could change that? 

In this panel discussion, we’ll explore how early and ongoing assessments can support students in the “Forgotten Third” by focusing on what they can do, not what they can’t. We’ll examine how baseline data in Year 7 provides a vital starting point for progression, enabling schools to identify those at risk and intervene before gaps widen. Alongside this, we’ll consider how reforms to qualifications and curriculum design could create a fairer and more supportive system that gives every learner the chance to succeed. 

Drawing on sector insights, we’ll look at practical steps schools and policymakers can take to build a more inclusive pathway through KS3 and KS4. 

In this session, we’ll focus on: 

• Using baseline assessments to identify students at risk of underperforming and establish a clear starting point for progress 

• Combining academic data with wellbeing and contextual insights for a fuller learner profile 

• Planning interventions from Year 7 onwards that build confidence and close learning gaps 

• OCR’s proposals for reforming maths GCSE, including reduced assessment load and early assessment of key fundamentals 

 

Who is this for?

This webinar is ideal for Senior Leaders, Principals, Vice Principals, School Leaders, Head Teachers, Deputy Heads, Heads of Department and Teachers.

If you’re unable to join us live for this webinar, please register and you will be sent the recording and a certificate of attendance shortly after the webinar.

We hope to see you there!