Accreditation and Assessment

At Heron Academy, we recognise that every pupil’s journey is unique. Our carefully selected accreditations and evidence-based assessments are designed to capture strengths, progress, and personal development in meaningful ways. From academic milestones to arts, independence, and real-world experiences, we ensure that every achievement is valued and supports our pupils in preparing confidently for their next steps.

Accreditation

At Heron Academy we have carefully chosen our accreditation to ensure that they are meaningful to our pupils and act as a stepping stone for transition to future settings. Our aim is to capture what our pupils are doing without being intrusive, or asking for evidence that does not naturally occur through our wide and varied curriculum. Our accreditation is carefully mapped to recognise our pupils’ strengths and development.

Our pupils in Key Stage 4 work towards the OCNL Entry Level 1 Award in Personal Progress. The qualification is broken into 3 units of accreditation, each unit being chosen to capture key areas of learning.

Our Key Stage 5 pupils work towards the OCNL Entry Level 1 or Entry Level 2 Certificate in Independence and Employability. This qualification is made up of units of accreditation specifically linked to our Post 16 Pathway. Pupils will capture evidence of achievement related to Work Experience, Independence, Community Access and Enterprise. The qualification is planned to have a duration of between 12 -18 months.

Key Stage 5 pupils also work towards The Duke of Edinburgh Awards at Bronze and Silver. This involves overnight expeditions away from family and stretches the pupils’ resilience and independence whilst experiencing new activities and challenges.

Heron Academy has invested in the Arts and our pupils work towards The Arts Award by participating in Art, Dance, Music and Drama which is facilitated by different external artists throughout the school year. This coupled with whole school Arts Week provides all pupils with exposure to a wide variety of Arts from which they create evidence for achievement.

Assessment

At Heron Academy we assess pupil progress using an evidence-based approach. Our system is Evidence for Learning (EfL), it enables us to capture snapshots in time to conduct formative assessments using photos, teacher and teaching assistant observations. Each pupil has a separate profile on EfL, every member of staff can add evidence and make assessment judgements against a number of frameworks.

At Heron our first priority is to measure progress against EHCP Targets, we use PLIMS (Personalised Learning Intention Maps) to break down targets from each section of the EHCP, (Cognition & Learning, Communication & Interaction, Social Emotional & Mental Health, Physical & Sensory and Independence and Community). The PLIMS are assessed each ½ term (Formative) and reported on at the end of each full term (Summative). The outcomes of termly assessments enable teachers to plan effectively for progression.

EFL also enables teachers to assess other frameworks such as:

· Numeracy for Life

· Literacy for Life

· PSHE/RSE

Developments for EfL will see us use the platform to track progress towards nationally accredited outcomes:

· OCNL Award in Personal Progress (Entry Level 1)

· OCNL Certificate in Independence and Employability (Entry Level 1 and Entry Level 2)

· Duke of Edinburgh Awards – Bronze and Silver

· Arts Award