How to use this exemplar to improve practice

Before using the Benchmarks, you are encouraged to watch the Benchmarks exemplification videos (below) and read the case studies that provide some early insights into how practitioners and schools are beginning to engage with the Benchmarks.

Benchmarks aim to provide new clarity about the standards children and young people are expected to achieve.

With specific reference to literacy and English and numeracy and mathematics, Benchmarks support teachers’ professional judgement of learners’ achievement of a level, and the gathering of assessment data for the National Improvement Framework.

With reference to the Benchmarks for other curriculum areas:

• Practitioners should begin to familiarise themselves with the Benchmarks through using them to support assessment as appropriate in their local contexts, and taking account of current school improvement priorities.
• HM Inspectors will be interested in practitioners’ awareness of the Benchmarks and how they are starting to use them, but will not expect immediate implementation.

​Explore this exemplar

What was done?

Specifically in relation to literacy and English and numeracy and mathematics, the videos show practitioners talking about moderation and evidence of achievement of a level. The accompanying case study describes how a school has streamlined and simplified approaches to planning and assessment as a result of the Benchmarks.

Word file: Literacy and Numeracy case study - Streamlining approaches to planning and assessment as a result of Benchmarks (26 KB)

The videos below show early examples of how practitioners have begun to use the Benchmarks in curriculum areas other than literacy and English and numeracy and mathematics.

Benchmarks exemplification: Expressive arts

Word file: Benchmarks exemplification - Supporting Paper: Expressive Arts (28 KB)

Benchmarks exemplification: Modern languages

Word file: Benchmarks exemplification - Supporting Paper: Modern languages (28 KB)

Benchmarks exemplification: Sciences

Word file: Benchmarks exemplification - Supporting Paper: Sciences (27 KB)

Benchmarks exemplification: Technologies

Word file: Benchmarks exemplification - Supporting Paper: Technologies (28 KB)