STA-0326 Inclusion Experts Framework 2024 - 2026

The Standards and Testing Agency (STA), an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE) is looking to recruit a pool of Inclusion Experts with a range of specialisms to ensure that the Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 tests it develops are inclusive and accessible for all. The national curriculum tests include the Reception Baseline Assessment, Year 1 Phonics Screening Check, English reading test (key stage 1 and key stage 2), English grammar, punctuation and spelling test (key stage 1 and key stage 2) and mathematics test (key stage 1 and key stage 2).

As part of the process of developing all assessments, STA includes an Inclusion Review to ensure that our test materials are accessible to children with a range of special educational needs, that they are representative of our diverse society and free from stereotypes or any form of bias. The inclusion reviews are carried out by experts with significant knowledge and experience of working with children with a broad range of sensory and learning disabilities, including experts in Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), visual impairments, hearing impairments, dyslexia, dyscalculia, autism, behavioural and language development etc. Expertise is also required in working with pupils with English as an Additional Language (EAL). The Equity, Representation and Diversity advisors ensure that the materials show a range of ethnic, religious and social groups in positive and non-stereotypical ways.

The reviewers provide thorough and detailed feedback on the test materials that are in development. Following this feedback, we alter or remove any texts / items that may pose unfair challenges to children with protected characteristics.

STA is looking for individuals or organisations with strong knowledge, expertise and prior experience of working within the field of inclusion and diversity.

The specific fields for which we require specialists include: • Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) • English as an additional language (EAL) • Hearing impairments (HI) • Language development and communication (including dyslexia) • Visual Impairments (VI) • Special Educational Needs and Disabilities - SEND (including physical disabilities and behavioural development) • Equity, representation and diversity advisors

For the Equity, representation and diversity review, we would encourage representatives from, or people with a proven track record in advocating for, any: • ethnicity • religion and belief • socio-economic status • gender • sexuality • disability • groups with protected characteristics as set out in the Equality Act, 2010.

Please note that the closing date for all bids is 5 June 2024 at 12:00 and any clarification questions must be received no later than 22 May 2024 at 12:00.

For more information, please see the invitation to tender (ITT) attachment for the Provision of Inclusion Expert resource for the Standards and Testing Agency (ref: STA-0326).