Catherine Kirkup

BSc, MSc
Principal Research Officer
c.kirkup@nfer.ac.uk
+44(0)1753 637126

Catherine is a Principal Research Officer in the Department for Research in Assessment and Measurement. Currently involved in the development and trialling of single level reading tests as part of the Making Good Progress pilot; also involved in a longitudinal study evaluating the use of an aptitude test, such as the SAT®, in admissions to Higher Education.

Prior experience and professional background

Joined NFER in 1996 and has worked on the development of tests and assessments for primary pupils across a range of ages and subjects; has also been involved in research into the formative use of performance data and an evaluation of on-line marking.

Main research interests

Assessment, test development, research methods and statistics, literacy, teaching and learning, primary education, early-childhood education, National Curriculum.

Other research interests

Baseline assessment, educational materials, occupational tests, evaluation studies.

Selected publications

Kirkup, C., Wheater, R., Schagen, I., Morrison, J. and Whetton, C. (2009). Use of an Aptitude Test in University Entrance - a Validity Study 2008 Update: Further Analyses of SAT® Data. (DIUS Research Report 09 02) London: DIUS. [Available online].

Kirkup, C., Wheater, R., Schagen, I. and Morrison, J. (2008). ‘Ability, attainment and affluence – relationships between the SAT®, A levels and student characteristics’. Paper presented at the IAEA Annual Conference 2008, Cambridge, 8-12 September. [Available online].

Kirkup, C., Morrison, J. and Whetton, C. (2008). ‘Relationships between A-level courses and SAT scores in sample of UK students’. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2008, New York, NY, 24 March.

Kirkup, C., Schagen, I., Wheater, R., Morrison, J. and Whetton, C. (2007). Use of an Aptitude Test in University Entrance - a Validity Study: Relationships between SAT® Scores, Attainment Measures and Background Variables (DfES Research Report 846). London: DfES. [Available online].

Kirkup, C. (2006). ‘Using assessment information to inform teaching and learning’, Education 3-13, 34, 2, 153-62.

Kirkup, C., Sizmur, J., Sturman, L. and Lewis, K. (2005). Schools’ Use of Data in Teaching and Learning (DfES Research Report 671). London: DfES.

Kirkup, C. (2004). ‘A survey of the use of assessment information to support teaching and learning’, TOPIC, 32, 25-31.

Kirkup, C., Ridley, K. and Benton, T. (2004). Evaluation of Excellence in Cities Primary Extension. Report of Pupil Attitudes and Attainment. Slough: NFER.

Ridley, K., Kirkup, C. and Benton, T. (2004). Evaluation of Excellence in Cities Primary Extension. Update of Statistical Analysis of the 2003 Pupil Performance Data. Slough: NFER.

Ridley, K., Kirkup, C. and Benton, T. (2004). Evaluation of Excellence in Cities Primary Extension: Statistical Analysis of the 2003 Pupil Data. Slough: NFER.

Kirkup, C., Morris, J. and Sainsbury, M. (2003). ‘The Foundation Stage Profile’, TOPIC, Issue 30, Item 10.

Kirkup, C., Sainsbury, M., Huddy, D., Adams, E., Burge, B. and Pyle, K. (2003). The Introduction of the Foundation Stage Profile: a Research Study Investigating Reactions to the Foundation Stage Profile in the Spring Term of 2003 in Six LEAs with Different Assessment Traditions. Slough: NFER.