Back to School: Build a complete picture of every learner
CAT4, PASS and Nearpod work together to help schools understand student potential, attitudes to learning and classroom engagement – so staff can provide the right support from the very start of the school year.
Every student begins the school year with different strengths, experiences and support needs. Bringing CAT4, PASS and Nearpod together can help your staff understand how students learn, identify factors that may be affecting their progress, and create more engaging learning experiences.
See beyond attainment data
Attainment data alone does not explain why a student may be underachieving or disengaging. CAT4, PASS and Nearpod together give schools a more complete picture of every learner — covering underlying ability, attitudes to learning and active classroom participation.
Identify support needs earlier
Recognise potential, underachievement and emerging barriers sooner, giving you more time to plan appropriate and targeted support.
Turn insight into classroom action
Use a clearer understanding of students’ needs to inform teaching, personalise learning and encourage active participation in lessons.
Thousands of schools rely on our solutions to support them each year
13,800+ schools
rely on Renaissance solutions
1,000,000+ assessments
taken each year help schools identify and respond to student needs.
160+ countries
benefit from Renaissance’s tools
Start the year with a clearer view
Attainment data can show where students are in their learning, but it does not always explain why they may be underachieving, disengaging or finding learning difficult.
CAT4, PASS and Nearpod help schools explore different parts of the learner story, moving from understanding potential and attitudes to taking practical action in the classroom.
Hidden potential can be difficult to identify
A student’s current attainment does not always reflect what they could achieve.
CAT4 provides insight into underlying abilities and how students are likely to learn best. This can help you recognise strengths, identify possible underachievement and make more informed decisions about support and challenge.
Barriers to learning are not always visible
Confidence, motivation and attitudes towards school can influence a student’s experience of learning, but these factors may not immediately appear in attainment data.
PASS helps schools explore students’ attitudes to themselves and their learning, supporting earlier conversations and more targeted pastoral or academic interventions.
Insight needs to lead to action
Understanding students is valuable, but staff also need practical ways to respond to what the information tells them.
Nearpod helps teachers deliver interactive learning experiences, encourage participation and check understanding during lessons, supporting responsive teaching for a wide range of learners.
Every student starts from a different place
At the beginning of the school year, staff may be welcoming new cohorts, supporting transitions and getting to know unfamiliar students.
Together, CAT4, PASS and Nearpod can help schools establish a stronger starting point by exploring potential, attitudes and engagement, then using those insights to inform classroom practice.
Find the Right Product Mix for Your School
Used individually, CAT4, PASS or Nearpod can support different parts of your back to school priorities. Combined, they build a broader understanding of every learner.
CAT4
CAT4 helps schools understand how students are likely to learn best, going beyond attainment to reveal cognitive strengths and areas for development.
Identify strengths and areas for development
Recognise students whose attainment may not reflect their potential
Use cognitive insights to inform teaching and support
Nearpod is a comprehensive teaching and learning platform that helps teachers act on student insights through interactive lessons, formative assessment and real-time engagement data.
Engage students through interactive lessons and activities
This provided us with evidence of the impact of this data visualisation, which wouldn’t have been achievable without the additional insights provided by CAT4 and PASS.
Dr Andrew Crookell, Assistant Head (Teaching & Learning)
Stamford Senior School
Lincolnshire
I really enjoy using Nearpod and think it has improved the quality of education in my classroom. Student engagement is soaring, and they are making excellent progress!
Gia Nathan, Year 3 Teacher
Epping Upland C.E. School (Part of Epping Forest Schools Partnership Trust)
Essex
With the undercover information that you get… you get to know how they feel, how they learn, how they think, how they react within a lesson live. It’s just more of a whole picture.
Kendra Garnham, Assistant Head Teacher
BC Academy International School
Dubai
Awards and accreditations
Ready to turn invisible barriers into visible impact
Fill in the form and our team will be in touch to discuss how our solutions can support you this back to school season.
Questions schools and school groups often ask
Find quick answers to common questions about CAT4, PASS and Nearpod, including implementation, training and support, so you can make an informed decision with confidence.
How can schools identify learning barriers before attainment is affected?
Schools can identify learning barriers earlier by combining CAT4 and PASS. CAT4 highlights a student’s underlying abilities and learning profile, while PASS reveals attitudes that may affect learning — such as low confidence, reduced motivation or disengagement. Together, they help schools spot potential issues before they appear in attainment data and plan targeted support.
What is the difference between CAT4, PASS and Nearpod?
CAT4 measures cognitive abilities and helps schools understand potential. PASS measures attitudes to learning and wellbeing factors that can influence progress. Nearpod helps teachers act on those insights through interactive lessons, formative assessment and real-time student engagement. Together, they support a complete understanding of each learner.
How do CAT4 and PASS work together?
CAT4 and PASS work together through a single platform that brings assessment results and reports into one place. Schools can view cognitive and attitudinal data side by side, making it easier to identify patterns, understand learner needs and make informed decisions about teaching, intervention and support.
Can we use CAT4, PASS or Nearpod on their own?
Yes. Schools can start with CAT4, PASS or Nearpod individually, depending on their priorities. Many schools choose to combine the solutions over time because they support different stages of the learner journey — from understanding potential and identifying barriers to improving classroom engagement and participation.
What support and training do schools receive?
Schools receive onboarding support, training and ongoing professional development to help staff use CAT4, PASS and Nearpod effectively. This includes getting-started guidance, educator training and resources designed to help schools turn student insights into meaningful classroom action.
How quickly can schools get started with CAT4, PASS or Nearpod?
Renaissance provides structured onboarding support to help schools implement their chosen solutions from the start of the school year. Schools can begin with one product and expand their use over time, making it straightforward to build a more complete assessment approach at a pace that suits their staff and budget.
Is Renaissance suitable for both primary and secondary schools?
Yes. CAT4, PASS and Nearpod are used across both primary and secondary settings. Renaissance supports schools through transitions, including Year 6 to Year 7, where building an early picture of students’ potential and attitudes can be particularly valuable for staff who are getting to know a new cohort.
