CAT Conference Cardiff: Tuesday 6th October

Welcome and Introduction
David Vincent, GL Assessment

Why do we still have “IQ testing” in schools?
Professor Steve Strand will consider the criticisms made against the use of reasoning tests in primary and secondary schools. Critics argue that reasoning tests: claim (falsely) to measure innate ability; are redundant in an age of comprehensive schooling; are biased against various ethnic and social groups; provide no guide to action for teachers; and duplicate the results of national testing. Are these criticisms justified?

Workshops / CAT training
Please choose Option 1 or Option 2
Delegates have the opportunity to attend either two workshops or the Introductory CAT Training Course

OPTION 1 – Workshops
11.30 – 12.15
Creating and maintaining an inclusive school through the personalising of the curriculum
Helen Keough, Head of Year 7 at Carmel Roman Catholic School, Darlington.

12.15 – 13.00
Digital assessment - the present and future
Claire Moss talks about
GL Assessment's vision of online testing and the practicalities of delivering CAT digitally.

OPTION 2 – CAT Training
11.30 – 13.00
Introductory CAT Training Course
Phil Wileman
GL Assessment Consultant

This introductory session is ideal for new users and anyone interested in finding out more about CAT.

Scoring and analysis
David Vincent, the sales director at GL Assessment, will give a practical session on the interpretation of CAT data and how CAT scores can be used to impact classroom teaching and organisation.

Primary or Secondary practitioner session
Please choose Option 1 or Option 2

OPTION 1 – Primary session
Making use of CAT data
Rebecca Owen, Year 5 Teacher at Cwrt Rawlin Primary School, will discuss how CAT data can be used to create a class visual-verbal learning profile, helping identify individual needs to improve teaching and learning.

OPTION 2 – Secondary session
Improving thinking skills - what does the research evidence tell us?
Dr Steve Strand will discuss the relationship between reasoning, thinking skills and learning to learn.