Formative assessments are at the heart of impactful teaching, but making it work effectively remains a challenge for many educators. In a recent conversation, Brett Griffin, Founder and CEO of Pupil Progress, and Ross McGill, Founder and CEO of Teacher Toolkit, shared their expert insights into what makes formative assessment truly powerful and how teachers can implement it without feeling overwhelmed.

Quite simply, formative assessment is a process that helps students improve their learning outcomes through ongoing feedback during the learning process. In contrast, summative assessment evaluates what students have learned at the end of a specific module, term, or course.

 “Formative assessment isn’t just about ticking boxes. It’s about understanding where students are in their learning journey and responding to that in real time.” - Ross McGill, Founder and CEO Teacher Toolkit 

The tools and processes educators use should make formative assessment easier, not harder. 

“The tools we use for formative assessment must be easy to integrate into a teacher’s workflow. If it’s too complicated, it’s not impactful.” - Brett Griffin, Founder and CEO of Pupil Progress 

This isn’t about adding another task to an already packed schedule; it’s about making every interaction count.

Simplicity is key when it comes to efficient formative assessment. Teachers are already stretched thin and need systems that not only provide insights but do so without adding to their workload. Simplicity ensures teachers can spend less time managing processes and more time acting on what they learn. 

The most successful systems are those that help educators track progress effortlessly, providing a clear picture of both individual and group performance. It’s not about reinventing the wheel but finding smarter ways to keep track of progress and identify where support is needed.

Effective performance tracking paves the way for efficient performative assessment. 

“When you can track progress in a meaningful way, it opens up opportunities to intervene earlier. You can see trends, address gaps, and celebrate successes.” - Ross McGill, Founder and CEO Teacher Toolkit 

Tracking isn’t just about data; it’s about what that data enables you to do. 

“A school we worked with started using a simple traffic-light system for daily checks. The results were astonishing, not just in academic outcomes but in student engagement.”– Brett Griffin, Founder and CEO of Pupil Progress

At Pupil Progress, we understand the challenges teachers face in making formative assessment work in busy classrooms. That’s why we’ve designed our platform to be a real support for educators, helping you take control of assessment with tools that make a difference.

• Save Time: With intuitive tools that automate tracking, you can focus on teaching instead of admin.

• Easy Evidence: From department meetings to inspections, our platform makes it simple to demonstrate student progress.

• Unified Approach: Pupil Progress works across departments, helping your school maintain consistency while giving every teacher the insights they need.

“The best tools are those that feel like an extension of your teaching. They should empower, not overwhelm.” Brett Griffin, Founder and CEO of Pupil Progress 

Pupil Progress does just that—offering a seamless solution that fits into your existing workflow.

Formative assessment isn’t just about gathering data; it’s about what you do with it. Feeding back to students is essential to turn teaching into learning and can foster student ownership.

. “When students see formative assessment as a tool for their growth, they become active participants in the process. That’s where the magic happens.” - Brett Griffin, Founder and CEO of Pupil Progress 

Empowering students to take control of their learning is where formative assessment really shines, and where Pupil Progress can help you deliver on that promise.

As education evolves, the potential of formative assessment only grows. From AI-driven analytics to real-time progress tracking, there’s no shortage of innovation. 

“No matter how advanced the tool, its success hinges on the teacher using it. Training and professional development are key.” – Ross McGill, Founder and CEO of Teacher Toolkit

That’s why Pupil Progress doesn’t just provide tools; we provide support. We’re here to help you understand how to use formative assessment to its fullest potential, so it works for you and your students.

When done correctly, formative assessment can transform classrooms. It’s not about complexity or over-promising; it’s about clear, actionable steps that make a real impact.

With Pupil Progress, we’re here to help you simplify your process, lighten your workload, and make formative assessment work for you. Together, we can empower your teaching and enhance your students’ learning.