NACE Challenge FAQs

What is the NACE Challenge Development Programme?

The NACE Challenge Development Programme offers a suite of exclusive resources to support NACE members at each stage of developing provision for more able learners, in the context of challenge for all. Developed in consultation with schools and education experts, the programme is based on the detailed criteria of the NACE Challenge Framework – an established tool for school self-evaluation and improvement in provision for more able learners.

Alongside the Challenge Framework, the NACE Challenge Development Programme offers:

• Bespoke consultancy and CPD for your teaching and/or leadership teams;
• Access to exclusive online resources;
• Opportunity to apply for NACE Challenge Award accreditation;
• Membership of a community of likeminded schools and professionals.

The programme is designed to support schools across all phases and at all stages of development – including schools already demonstrating good or outstanding provision for more able learners, and those for whom this is a key action point for improvement.

How can I access the NACE Challenge Development Programme?

To join the NACE Challenge Development Programme, your school must hold current NACE membership. If unsure whether your school holds NACE membership, contact us. Once you have decided on the best Challenge Development Programme option for your school, complete our online form to place your order. You can also add a NACE Challenge Package to your order when you register for membership.

What is the NACE Challenge Framework?

An integral part of the Challenge Development Programme, the NACE Challenge Framework is a self-evaluation and school improvement tool, based on evidence about how to provide challenge for high achievement, with specific emphasis on provision for more able learners.

How do schools use the Challenge Framework?

Schools use the NACE Challenge Framework to audit and review their quality and scope of provision for more able learners, and to create an informed action plan for continuous whole-school improvement. All schools in all phases can use the Framework, at any stage in developing provision for the more able. Read more here.

Does purchasing the Challenge Framework make my school eligible for Challenge Award assessment?

For schools in the early stages of developing provision for more able learners, the Challenge Framework provides a useful structure through which to identify strengths and priorities for improvement. Schools with an established focus on policy and practice in this area will be ready to audit their provision, complete the self-evaluation and compile a portfolio of supporting evidence – this can then be submitted as part of an application for Challenge Award accreditation.

How can I connect with other schools to talk about provision for more able learners?

NACE provides many opportunities for schools to meet and exchange ideas and experiences e.g. member meetups, more able lead networks, Challenge Award schools network, R&D hubs and Challenge Award school experience days. For more information about any of these opportunities contact challenge@nace.co.uk.

What is the NACE Challenge Award?

The NACE Challenge Award is a recognised quality mark given to schools that have developed excellent provision for more able learners and high quality challenge for all.

What are the eligibility criteria?

To apply for the NACE Challenge Award, your school must:

• Hold current NACE membership
• Be able to demonstrate that you meet the criteria outlined in the NACE Challenge Framework, based on completed self-assessment and portfolio of evidence
• Hold an Ofsted good or outstanding judgement (or equivalent)*

*A review and evaluation of the school's pupil's performance and progress data is an essential part of the Challenge Award assessment. Where, in extenuating circumstances, externally validated data is unavailable, assessors scrutinise the school's internal pupil achievement data and information.

How long does it take to gain the NACE Challenge Award?

This depends on your starting point. If your school has an established focus on provision for more able learners, then your initial audit against the Challenge Framework may show that you will be ready to apply for the award within a year. Most schools take around two years to reach this point, largely due to the requirement for a whole-school ethos and consistency. Some may take longer, depending on their circumstances. Overview of timings, key actions and support at each stage.

How will I know if my school is ready to apply for Challenge Award accreditation?

In order to apply for accreditation, you must be confident that your school meets the criteria detailed in the NACE Challenge Framework and that you have adequate evidence to support this.

You may also find it beneficial to book a slot at one of our termly Challenge Clinics - offering free one-to-one support (via phone/Skype) to help you review progress, identify next steps and gauge your readiness for accreditation. For details of the next Challenge Clinic, visit our events page.

What is the Challenge Award assessment process?

Stage 1 (pre-assessment half-day visit). This is a visit from your assessor to undertake a preliminary review of your school’s readiness for Challenge Award assessment, and to identify key areas for development. This stage is mandatory for all schools being assessed for the first time; mandatory for schools outside the UK at each assessment; and optional for UK-based schools undergoing reaccreditation.

Stage 2: (assessment day). The assessment day is based on a pre-agreed schedule and will include a learning walk, interviews with staff, governors and learners, and further evidence scrutiny. Your school will be verbally advised of the outcome at the end of the day and receive a written report shortly afterwards, which will include recommendations for your school’s ongoing action plan.

Read more about assessment. If your school is ready to apply for Challenge Award accreditation or reaccreditation, please complete this online form.

How long is the Challenge Award valid for?

The NACE Challenge Award is valid for three years (previously four). On gaining the award, schools receive a report outlining next steps for development, which should be addressed before applying for reaccreditation. NACE membership is also a requirement.

What happens if our school's NACE membership expires?

For those schools that hold NACE Challenge Award, NACE membership is an ongoing prerequisite of that accreditation. In addition, this ensures that the school is able to effectively work towards reaccreditation, through access to resources and support by a Challenge assessor.

What should I do if my school is working with the 'Quality Standards for More Able and Talented Pupils'? (applicable to some schools in Wales)

NACE has updated the Challenge Framework to reflect curriculum developments in Wales and would encourage schools to use the updated version and its extensive supporting resources. From April 2019, schools wishing to be assessed for the NACE Challenge Award will need to do so against the updated NACE Challenge Framework, rather than the Quality Standards.

If your school has already gained the NACE Challenge Award, at your next reaccreditation you will be required to work with the updated Challenge Framework. You should purchase a school-wide licence for the Framework, which will include access to supporting online resources. Please note that following your next reaccreditation, your school will be required to renew accreditation every three years (previously four).

What happens if we are a Challenge Award-accredited school and we fall into Requires Improvement?

Schools which are judged Requires Improvement (RI) no longer meet the required designation eligibility to retain Challenge Award status. As part of the de-designation process, schools will be required to remove the Challenge Award logo from their website and other materials. This drop of category may occur when significant time has passed since the previous Ofsted inspection and Challenge Award accreditation.

If your school holds the award and falls into RI, on publication of the Ofsted report you should notify NACE of the inspection judgement and remove the Challenge Award logo from your school website and other materials.

Schools are encouraged to use the Challenge Framework to support their journey back to “good”. NACE can also offer consultancy to support this improvement process.

What if my school wishes to apply for the Challenge Award but my current Estyn rating doesn’t meet the requirements?

The Welsh education system is undergoing a period of reform of both its curriculum and inspection regime. Given this transitional context, and with a partial suspension of inspection from 2020 to 2021, schools in Wales not currently judged as “good” applying for Challenge Award accreditation will be reviewed on an individual basis for eligibility for, firstly, pre-assessment and then for accreditation. Key determiners for eligibility will include time since the previous inspection judgement; how the school can robustly evidence improved performance; and the school’s annual national rating category.

Current Challenge Award-accredited schools in Wales which drop from Good to Adequate will continue to be de-designated as they no longer meet the eligibility criteria to retain Challenge Award status.

We have a new more able lead. Is it possible to have support before we apply?

Yes. All accredited schools can have a “Challenge check-in” – one-to-one advice via telephone with an experienced assessor. Some schools also book a consultancy visit to help them prepare for reaccreditation, especially if there have been changes in leadership roles.

What are the main benefits of the reaccreditation process?

The NACE Challenge Award is a prestigious external validation and maintaining the Award is a reminder to stakeholders of the school’s high-quality provision. We also know from experience that the reaccreditation journey will often reenergise the whole-school focus on ensuring challenge for all.

There is a new Ofsted framework – will reaccreditation also help with this?

The holistic approach of evidence gathering for the Challenge Award links well with Ofsted requirements. A school’s evaluation against the six Element criteria will provide a strong evidence base for key aspects of the new Ofsted framework – i.e. demonstrating an aspirational, inclusive school ethos; an ambitious, broad and rich curriculum entitlement rooted in good teaching; strategic professional development; excellent personal development provision; and rigorous monitoring of the work of the school.

Read more about assessment. If your school is ready to apply for Challenge Award accreditation or reaccreditation, please complete this online form.

Who can apply for Challenge Ambassador School status?

If you have already been accredited with the Challenge Award on two or more occasions you will have the opportunity to apply to be a NACE Challenge Ambassador School during your subsequent accreditations. For further guidance and information please contact Karen Burnham (karenburnham@nace.co.uk).

What are the requirements to be a Challenge Ambassador School?

During the three years between accreditations, schools can engage with NACE in a number of ways (see engagement requirements). If a total of 15 or more credits have been accumulated prior to your next reaccreditation application, schools can choose to apply to be a Challenge Ambassador School on successfully achieving Challenge Award status.

What is different about the reaccreditation process for a potential Ambassador School?

The structure of the reaccreditation process will be similar to before. For some small schools, the assessment day will be reduced to half a day and for some larger schools a support assessor will not be required. The price of reaccreditation will be cheaper for all schools in return for engaging with NACE on a more regular basis.

Does a school have to apply for Ambassador School status?

No, you can be reaccredited as before if your school would rather not engage more regularly with NACE in-between accreditations.

What are the benefits of being a Challenge Ambassador School?

You would join a network of similarly minded school leaders across the UK and beyond, giving you the opportunity to highlight your best practice in the field of more able provision, and share and resolve any new difficulties you may be facing.

How much does it cost?

The costs involved depend on the level of support your school chooses.

Challenge Development Programme options

Costs for Challenge Award assessment.

Place an order.

To discuss the best option for your school, or to request a bespoke development package, contact us.

What happens if our school's NACE membership expires?

Where a school chooses not to renew its annual NACE membership and it has Challenge Hub access, its access to the Hub and associated resources will lapse at the same time. If a school subsequently rejoins NACE it can choose to repurchase access to the Challenge Hub. This is because the ongoing development of the Challenge Development Programme is funded by member schools. NACE will waive the Hub renewal charge if a school decides to reinstate its membership within three months of leaving.

What is a “Challenge check-in”?

A “Challenge check-in” is part of the ongoing support NACE provides for schools accredited with the Challenge Award. In the interval between reaccreditations, you will be contacted by a Challenge Award assessor, who will help you to assess your school’s progress against the action plan outlined in your Challenge Award report. The assessor will also ask about any significant changes in the school, or other matters which may impact on provision for the more able.