Ready for inspection? Mastering assessment for learning with Matt Dickson
Why now is the time to focus on Assessment for Learning
With over 2,960 inspections already this year highlighting assessment in their recommendations, it’s clear this remains a major focus for school improvement. So why is assessment for learning (AfL) still being flagged so often?
Issues often identified include that assessment is not consistently used to check whether pupils have retained knowledge or to identify and address any misconceptions, but this isn’t just about data. It’s about using assessment to inform learning - checking that pupils remember what they’ve learned, helping them make connections between different pieces of knowledge, and using those insights to fill in gaps and correct misconceptions.
Unfortunately, many schools still struggle to get this right but that is exactly what Matt Dickson will explore in his practical, evidence-informed session on How to use Assessment for Learning in the Classroom.
Taking place on 21 May 2025, this online, practical workshop is designed for educators at every level, whether you're in the classroom or in a leadership role. The focus will be on improving how you use assessment for learning to enhance teaching and learning with strategies you can start using right away.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the workshop, you will be able to:
- confidently explain the core principles of assessment for learning (AfL) and its impact on learning
- integrate the five key AfL strategies into planning and teaching
- craft clear learning intentions and success criteria to guide pupils
- deliver feedback that motivates and moves learning forward
- implement practical AfL tools in lessons,
- tackle common challenges in AfL implementation, including time pressures and pupil misconceptions
- create a personalised action plan to embed AfL your teaching immediately.
You’ll leave the session with a clear understanding of how to embed AfL practices into your teaching culture - ensuring that every assessment you carry out has a purpose, drives learning, and supports student progress. With inspection requirements evolving, it’s essential to stay ahead of the curve. This course is your chance to equip yourself with the tools and strategies to ensure your assessment practices not only meet expectations, but exceed them.
About Matt Dickson
Matt is a Senior Improvement Officer working with schools across north Kent. He also leads and oversees assessment and moderation across nearly 500 schools across ten local authorities. He also works with the DFE advising on how to support schools that face persistent challenges in improving outcomes.
With a background in primary education, Matt has held roles as a headteacher and executive headteacher, as well as consultant positions working with schools in multi-academy trusts and local authorities. His work now focuses on supporting teachers, support staff, and school leaders to strengthen teaching and learning, assessment, and curriculum delivery—always with the aim of improving outcomes for all pupils.
Matt spends the majority of his time in schools, working directly with staff and pupils to identify what’s working, what could be better, and how small, practical changes can make a big difference. He also leads training and workshops where he shares real-life examples and tried-and-tested strategies, delivered in a down-to-earth, engaging way that leaves teachers feeling supported, inspired, and ready to try something new in their own classrooms.
