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2024 programme

More details on sessions will be added soon. Please note that sessions and times are subject to change.

Day 1 – Thursday 10 October

8:30am

Networking coffee

Enjoy refreshments and catch up with other delegates.

9am

Registration open

9.30am

Introduction

Host: Jim Crawford – Chief Commercial Officer, Surpass Assessment

9.40am 

Keynote – The four-step approach to creating the future of assessment

Dan Fitzpatrick – The AI Educator and Director at Thirdbox Ltd

In this keynote, author and strategist Dan Fitzpatrick will challenge us to move beyond linear innovation with AI and focus on actively creating the future of assessment. He presents a four-step approach: Scope, Shape, Influence and Align, designed to transform traditional practices.

10.40am 

Networking break and coffee

10.55am 

Company update

Andy McAnulla and Sonya Whitworth – Co-CEOs, Surpass Assessment

11.10am 

Surpass Showreel – 2024 at a glance

11.15am 

Building on the intersection of knowledge and skills: Delivering the NextGen BYOD Bar Exam – Community Stories with NCBE

Andreas Oranje – Managing Director of Assessment Programs, National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)

Join representatives from Surpass Community members as they take us through their assessment journeys and challenges.

11.35am 

Limited internet, no problem: Realistic accountancy simulations – Community Stories with SAICA

Nombuyiselo (Selo) Tsukudu – South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)

Join representatives from Surpass Community members as they take us through their assessment journeys and challenges.

11.55am 

Digital General Qualifications: the story so far – Community Stories with AQA

Adam FoleyHead of Onscreen Strategy, AQA

Join representatives from Surpass Community members as they take us through their assessment journeys and challenges.

12.15pm 

Lunch

1.15pm 

Quickfire Surpass update – the latest features from 2023/24 (part 1)

Emma Hall – Head of Business Development, Surpass Assessment
Georgie Jones – Assessment Specialist, Surpass Assessment

1.30pm 

Meeting the challenges of digital MFL assessment – Surpass Feature Spotlight with AQA

Adam Foley – Head of Onscreen Strategy, AQA

1.45pm 

Curriculum blueprint design – Surpass Feature Spotlight with NCBE

Andreas Oranje – Managing Director of Assessment Programs, National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)

2.05pm – Breakout

MAIN ROOM

Workshop – How classrooms are using AI for assessment

Dan Fitzpatrick – The AI Educator and Director at Thirdbox Ltd

In this hands-on workshop, Dan Fitzpatrick will demonstrate the essential skills needed to leverage ChatGPT and other AI tools for creating innovative assessments. Participants will learn practical techniques to maximise the potential of these technologies, focusing on designing more engaging and effective assessment. Additionally, Dan will showcase the latest edtech assessment tools that are revolutionising classrooms.

INTERACTIVE ROOM

Surpass hands-on

Try out new features in Surpass in our Interactive Room.

2.50pm 

Networking break and coffee

3.10pm  – Breakout

MAIN ROOM

LOFTY ambitions – it’s not all or nothing: Working towards LOFT with steady progression – Innovative Insights with Dainis & Co.

Amanda DainisCEO and Lead Psychometrician, Dainis & Co.

INTERACTIVE ROOM

Surpass hands-on

Try out new features in Surpass in our Interactive Room.

3.25pm  – Breakout

MAIN ROOM

Surpass Test Delivery Services Update

Ceri Harper – Chief Services Officer, Surpass Assessment

INTERACTIVE ROOM

Surpass hands-on

Try out new features in Surpass in our Interactive Room.

4pm

Plenary session – The great skills shift: preparing for the AI-driven job market

Host:
Jim Crawford – Chief Commercial Officer, Surpass Assessment

Panel:
Paddy Craven – Public Affairs, Partnership & Engagement Director, City & Guilds UK
Casey Johnson – Senior Director of Assessment and Psychometrician, Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)
Shaun Robertson – Director of Education and Qualifications, Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)

Don’t miss our expert panel debate as they explore the challenges of AI and its implications for the job market of the future, and ask your questions in our live Q&A.

5pm 

Finish

7:30pm 

Evening networking event: Join us for a historic show at the Royal Armouries

Don’t miss the fantastic Conference drinks reception and dinner!

Based at the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, the War Gallery provides a historic backdrop for this networking event. The Royal Armouries Museum is the UK’s national museum of arms and armour, with thousands of incredible objects, from ancient times to the present day, including Japanese samurai, iconic movie props and King Henry VIII’s armour!

Enjoy an exciting display of medieval fight techniques as armoured knights showcase their skills in a stunning Tournament Duel. Cheer for your chosen champion while enjoying reception drinks!

Book your place at this event as a free add-on when ordering your Surpass Conference tickets. There are limited tickets so don’t delay!

Book now
Statues of armoured knights on horses at Leeds Royal Armouries

Day 2 – Friday 11 October

9:00am

Introduction

Host: Bob Gomersall – Chairman, Surpass Assessment

9:10am

A seamless experience: Developing and integrating an assessment dashboard with Surpass – Community Stories with PAEA

Emily Yunker – Director of Assessment and Security Officer, Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA)

Join representatives from Surpass Community members as they take us through their assessment journeys and challenges.

9:30am

Efficient large-scale bank management: tips and tricks when creating a master item record – Innovative Insights with AlphaPlus

Dave Mellor – Director of Assessment, AlphaPlus
Matt Turner – Senior Data Science Officer, AlphaPlus

9:50am

Charting success: Navigating challenges in migrating legacy content to Surpass with Surpass APIs – Innovative Insights with NBME

Patricia Kinsman – Senior Software Engineer, National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)
Jeff Luttrell – Technical Product Owner, National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME)

10:10am

Networking break and coffee

10:25am – Breakout

MAIN ROOM

Surpass Services update

Gareth HopkinsSolutions Manager, Surpass Assessment

Victoria CobleSenior Product Owner, Surpass Assessment

Ashleigh Whittle – Head of Supporting Services, Surpass Assessment

Surpass Services assist many Surpass Community members in the creation and delivery of their assessments, and also support training in Surpass, online proctoring, test development and test conversion/publishing, and manage our Test Centre Network. In addition, the Product Customisation Service enables customers to enhance the Surpass Platform to meet their needs.

Learn more in these short updates.

Innovation Committee update: Surpass for test preparation and formative assessment

Jim Crawford – Chief Commercial Officer, Surpass Assessment

INTERACTIVE ROOM

Surpass hands-on

Try out new features in Surpass in our Interactive Room.

Special Interest Group – Surpass test delivery technologies

Emma Gilmartin – Senior Customer Success Manager, Surpass Assessment

11:15am  – Breakout

MAIN ROOM

It’s as SMEasy as 1, 2, 3: Using Surpass to make SME management a breeze – Innovative Insights with Dainis & Co.

Amanda Dainis – CEO and Lead Psychometrician, Dainis & Co. 

INTERACTIVE ROOM

Surpass hands-on

Try out new features in Surpass in our Interactive Room.

11:55am

Lunch

1:00pm

Surpass Innovation Award

The Surpass Innovation Award recognises members of the Surpass Community who showcase unique ways to overcome assessment challenges, driving forward new ways of working and a cutting-edge approach to creating and delivering online examinations.

Surpass Innovation Award

1:20pm

Best practices for evaluating open ended responses: Double marking, validity papers, and reconciliation – Surpass Feature Spotlight with NCBE

Andreas Oranje – Managing Director of Assessment Programs, National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE)

1:45pm

Quickfire Surpass update – the latest features from 2023/24 (part 2)

Emma Hall – Head of Business Development, Surpass Assessment
Georgie Jones – Assessment Specialist, Surpass Assessment

2:10pm

Plenary session: The future of AI and Surpass Copilot

Host:
Andy McAnulla – Co-CEO, Surpass Assessment

Hear from the Surpass Copilot Customer Advisory Board on the the most sought-after developments being planned for 2024/25, the methodology behind the developments to ensure ethical and effective outcomes, and the impact of newly introduced regulations like the EU AI Act.

3:00pm

Closing comments