NEW: Download our free supplementary COVID-19 guidance document
We have developed supplementary aptGO guidance documents, one for mainstream and one for special schools/settings, to assist in benchmarking your provision and practice in relation to the:
- Continuity of curriculum delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic;
- ‘Catch-up’ and recovery approaches for children and young people with SEND.
Both documents are free to download below.

The aptGO is our sector-leading audit and planning tool for implementing a cyclical process to evaluate and improve SEND provision in schools/settings.
It provides a comprehensive framework within which to:
- Engage teams across the school in discussion about SEND policy and practice.
- Benchmark current practice and provision against 36 school improvement areas linked to the current Ofsted inspection judgements.
- Create a comprehensive action plan, appropriate timeframes and a cyclical process for review.
- Achieve a high level of confidence about SEND policy and practice in preparation for or in response to inspection.
We have a dedicated mainstream version for primary and secondary schools and a special school version suitable for multi-phase special schools and alternative provision settings.
“Outstanding again! We owe this in part to the aptGO as it was transformational in highlighting gaps and providing a structure for developing even greater innovative cutting edge practice.”


“For my own personal and professional development, the aptGO process allows you to reflect, quality assure and plan strategically. There is no doubt that the aptGO process contributed in preparing us for an imminent Ofsted and with our third consecutive Outstanding judgement, wholly recommended.”
How does the aptGO work?
The aptGO is based on generating discussion at leadership level using a scripted framework and a ‘best-fit-judgement’ approach.
aptGO covers 36 areas under the four Ofsted headings of:
- Leadership and Management
- Quality of Education
- Behaviour and Attitudes
- Personal Development
Within these 36 areas are a series of incremental statements designed to generate rigorous discussion aimed at determining the current level of practice. Once this has been achieved you can use the incremental statements to help frame your next steps on your journey towards good and outstanding practice. The aptGO not only provides a framework for your journey as a school/setting, it can also be used to support discussions with inspectors during initial or return visits.


The aptGO Guided Consultation option
Use of the aptGO boxset in-house has successfully helped many senior leadership teams to improve the quality of their SEND provision. We understand that some schools and settings have more comprehensive requirements that require a personal touch.
Using the aptGO boxset, a member of our team of expert practitioners will work with you to provide guided consultation to help you identify your baseline starting-point and if you wish, a follow-up review. An aptGO guided consultation provides additional perspectives and a critically reflective approach to help you make the very best of your planning discussions.
Pricing for the aptGO Guided Consultation is available on request, and further details can be found below.
“As a Head, it ticked so many boxes and provided a valuable tool to help staff air views, reflect on current arrangements and identify next steps.”

