Equals
Following the introduction of the National Curriculum in 1988 a group of 200+ Specialist schools came together for a National Conference in 1994 and shortly after this date Equals was formed. Originally part of the University of Northumbria, Equals evolved into a charity from 1998.
Moving on Curriculum
Initially activities involved national conferences; which were followed from 1999 by Curriculum Schemes of Work which were adapted from the NC. The Equals Moving on Curriculum Schemes of Work were developed and first published back in 2000, shortly after the initial versions of the subject specific schemes of work in 1999.
Originally consisting of 3 one-year programmes for 16-19 years (Adventurer, Explorer and Traveller), Moving on focused on specific areas related to Independence, World Studies and Vocational Skills. Alongside this an accreditation scheme was available, where pupil portfolios were internally moderated by the schools themselves, and externally by Equals.

In 2002 a 3-year programme for Literacy and Numeracy was added which was later extended to five years in 2007 and I.C.T. was included. As many schools were finding Moving On appropriate for Key Stage 4, two additional programmes were written Voyager and Globetrotter. Moving On was from 2007-2023 marketed for 14+ as it was also appropriate for young adults with SLD.
2017 onwards
Following changes in statuary guidance in 2017 related to the Rochford Review and as the needs of pupils with SLD continued to become more complex, Equals moved away from attempting to adapt the NC and developed and published entirely specialist materials instead.
The » Equals Multi-Tiered Curriculum Schemes of Work are not related to the NC, and are not age related. They are also cross-curricular and very practical and do not relate to traditional NC subject titles.
For pupils working consistently and over time below age-related expectations their curriculum needs to be different rather than differentiated, as they way such pupils learn is very different from neuro-typical, conventional developing learnings for whom the national curriculum was designed.
Moving on To – New Accreditation available from Equals
Equals continued to support schools which were using the original Moving on Curriculum Schemes of Work with external moderation up to 31st August 2024. Equals will continue to support schools with their internal moderation where possible, however the original moving on accreditation scheme has now ended. From 1st September 2024, Equals started to offer members an accreditation scheme which is aligned to the new Equal Multi-tiered Curriculum Schemes of Work.
Further information can be found at » https://equals.co.uk/moving-on-to-accreditation-semi-formal-curriculum/
Internal Moderation – Original Moving On Accreditation Scheme
There are a selection of documents below for schools to use to help support their internal moderation whilst using the original now Legacy Moving On Curriculum Schemes of Work.
- » Accreditation Handbook
A guide for schools that are participating in the Equals Moving On Curriculum Accreditation Scheme. - » Student Portfolio Proforma
to be completed for each pupil. - » Validation Form
to be completed by each school
Training Videos – Moving On
They’re a selection of videos below where John Hartley from Equals, talks through the
original Equals Moving On Curriculum Accreditation Scheme.
- » The Introduction to the 14+ Moving On Curriculum and Accreditation
- » World Studies
- » Independent Living
- » Literacy, Numeracy and ICT.

The original now Legacy Equals Moving On Functional Skills Schemes of Work
Moving On – Original now legacy
Certificate Templates
» Click here to download the Certificate Templates for the Original Moving On Curriculum Schemes of Work
For schools requiring further support, please contact the Equals Strategic Development Manager
using paul@equalsoffice.co.uk or you can phone using 0191 272 1222