Profiling tool identifies children who ‘fly under the radar’

The University of Birmingham has announced Early Action Compass, a Development Profiling Tool (DPT) that enables early years teachers to put targeted support in place for individual children by the start of their second term in school, addressing root differences before learning and well-being gaps begin.

The DPT provides a comprehensive measurement of school readiness, helping to identify children with emerging or less obvious needs, without depending on external referrals.

It is complementary to the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile (EYFSP) provided to all children before they are 6 years old, which measures observable milestones, but does not show how these may be attained.

The DPT focusses on the development of the sensorimotor systems that are the building blocks for a child to learn effectively. It was developed by Developmental Psychologist and former Head Teacher Dr Penelope Hannant, who is Assistant Professor of Educational Inclusion at Birmingham’s School of Education.

It has been validated against standardised assessments and shown to be robust and reliable, and trial for real world usability with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) teachers and Special Educational Needs Coordinators (SENCos), with an overwhelming majority (80%) reporting a deepening of their professional understanding of hidden developmental barriers to learning.

The results from the test and trial are published in Educational Review, which reported the tool has the potential to reduce learning gaps, enhance SEND identification, and embed proactive support early on in everyday school practice.

The DPT compiles results based on developmental observations by early years teachers from activities that are already in the early years curriculum, and presents these in an easy-to-read report on the individual child, that shows their strengths, and where further support is needed.

Tested in the real world

The tool has been trialled for real world usability in assessment of over 500 children in 39 schools, taken from a representative sample of independent and state schools from both deprived and affluent areas of the East and West Midlands.

Before completing assessments, the teachers were given training by pre-recorded, interactive webinar, to familiarise themselves with Taylor & Trott’s ‘Pyramid of Learning’, which shows the stages of sensory and motor skill development that are prerequisites for the more complex activity of academic learning.

These stages are foundational for learning: a child that has difficulty with hand-eye coordination will struggle with writing, while a child that cannot screen sensory inputs will not be able to focus in the classroom.

Reflections from EYFS teachers and SENCos involved in the trial showed a shift in their understanding from a surface-level understanding to recognising the complex, often hidden, developmental barriers.

Specific feedback showed the training provides a scaffold for understanding - as one teacher said “you can’t have one skill without other skills, like building a house” – while others reflected on the missed opportunities with children they had taught in previous years.

Teachers then used the DPT to assess children, and were provided with suggested resources for intervention. Teacher reflections and feedback on the experience showed the majority (68%) considered the DPT to be the most informative and purposeful to learning compared to tools measuring specific traits or skills, or government baselines.

Comments received from the teachers were overwhelmingly positive, and included:

“The earlier we learn how a child learns and what barriers they have to learning, the earlier we can intervene.” “The development tool has opened our eyes beyond the curriculum to help children through tailored interventions.” “The links once the assessment was completed to further support and resources have been invaluable.”

Nearly all the schools involved in the trial requested continued access for subsequent academic years.

Dr Penelope Hannant will be presenting on the DPT at the Schools & Academies Show 2025, NEC Birmingham, on Wednesday November 19 at 12.00-12.30, in the SEND Theatre.