ProAssess
Educational Assessment Consultancy
FRIENDLY. SUPPORTIVE. KNOWLEDGEABLE.
What we're about
At ProAssess, we help organisations create qualifications and assessments that actually work.
Not just on paper.
Not just for submission.
But in practice. For learners. For centres. For the people delivering them every day.
Because meeting regulatory expectations matters.
But building something you can stand behind matters more.
Why people come to us
Most of the people we work with don’t need someone to tell them what to do.
They need:
time to think
space to build something properly
and someone who can cut through the noise and help them move forward with confidence
Sometimes they’re already carrying the responsibility.
Sometimes they’re trying to get it right from the start.
Either way, there’s a point where you need something that will actually stand up in practice.
That’s where we come in.
How we help
We take complex regulatory requirements and assessment principles and turn them into clear, practical decisions you can actually act on.
We work with you to:
- shape qualifications and assessments that are fit for purpose
- sense-check and strengthen what’s already in place
- move key pieces of work forward without it all sitting on your desk
No overcomplication. No unnecessary theory.
Just the right conversations, the right structure, and steady progress.
What makes us different
We’ve been in your shoes.
Managing impossible workloads whilst trying to interpret what 'robust assessment strategy' actually means in plain English.
We’ve felt that familiar knot in your stomach when that Ofqual request lands or the government announces yet another policy change that needs implementing yesterday.
We’ve felt the frustration of sticking plasters on problems because you don’t have time to fix them properly.
We understand both the regulatory landscape AND your daily reality and we know what it takes to make something workable for centres, employers and learners.
That means we don’t just focus on what needs to be done. We help you make the decisions that sit underneath it. The ones that determine whether your assessments hold up… or keep needing to be fixed.
How we work with you
We work alongside you.
Sometimes that’s full end-to-end support developing a qualification.
Sometimes it’s an independent review that gives you clarity and direction.
Sometimes it’s simply a one off consultation to get things moving.
Always, it’s a partnership.
A sounding board.
A second pair of eyes.
Someone who can help you see the bigger picture and move the detail forward.
The shift
You move from:
- second-guessing decisions
- constantly reacting to requirements
- and trying to hold everything together yourself
To:
- making clear, confident decisions
- building something that works and keeps working
- and knowing you’re ready when it matters
Not just compliant. Confident.
Not just submitted. Something you can stand behind.
Meet the team
ProAssess was founded by Sarah Sutcliffe and Jackie Stark, bringing together our extensive experience in qualification and assessment design across schools, vocational education and apprenticeships.
Today, the work is led by Sarah, while Jackie is living her best lift in Canada, but she continues to play a role in the business, offering insight, support, and contributing to projects where her expertise is needed.
Sarah Sutcliffe
Co-founder of ProAssess
With over 20 years experience working in education, including developing vocational qualifications for the Key Stage 4 performance table and end point assessments for apprenticeships, I am well placed to support you in developing qualifications and assessments
I graduated with a degree in Psychology and went on to work in schools where I managed various initiatives in both primary and secondary schools, including running a vocational education centre.
More recently I have worked in qualification and assessment design and have experience in the full development process - from the initial interpretation of a technical spec or client request through to the final sign off.
Jackie Stark
Co-founder of ProAssess
I am an educational examinations and assessment consultancy professional with over 14 years of sector experience. A qualification and assessment design specialist with extensive experience of developing qualifications and assessments that hold performance points including Level 1 and 2 VTQs as well as level 3 Technical qualifications, L4 and 5 Higher technical quals and Functional Skills.
I have a Post Graduate Certificate in Educational Examinations and Assessment with the University of Cambridge. A subject expert of Performing Arts, teacher and drama practitioner with a PGCE focused in PCET- Drama and Performing Arts from the University of Sunderland.
I specialise in the end to end qualification and assessment design processes from initial scoping through to regulatory approvaI. I provide expert guidance on assessment administration and delivery, awarding and qualification validation.
I have worked for Awarding Organisations and led on qualification and assessment design and developments with regulatory bodies.
We also work with a small network of trusted specialists. So when you need something beyond our core expertise, you’re not passed around or starting again, you’re supported by the right people, in a way that still feels joined up and grounded.