My 3 Ds for Being Assessor Fit: Part 1

A few years ago, I set myself a challenge: to become fit in my fifties. I wanted to run a half marathon and build enough strength to do a pull-up.

I achieved both this year: I completed the Stratford half-marathon and finally managed my first few pull-ups.

Why am I sharing this?

Because neither happened overnight. If I had turned up on race day without training, preparation, or guidance, things would not have gone well!

Success depended on what I call my 3 Ds:

  • Direction 
  • Development 
  • Deliberate practice 

The same principle applies to assessment practice.

If I try to write reports using the 2025 report format without direction, development and deliberate practice, I am likely to struggle. Similarly, I would never use a new assessment tool with a student without direction, development and deliberate practice.

To become assessor fit, we need to apply the 3 Ds:

  1. Direction from those who know, namely SASC;
  2. Development of our professional skills. We are not losing our skills because a report format changes. We are building on them;
  3. Deliberate practice is purposeful practice that knows where it is going and how to get there.

Please join me for a live presentation of the New Report Format, 2025, with Communicate ed, on Wednesday 9th December, or anytime online, where I will be following “The 3 Ds”

More details to follow in the coming weeks about my 3 Ds and if you would like support and mentoring with your 3 Ds, please do get in touch 😀