Glossary of school metrics

Plain-English explanations of every figure on a school page. Click the (?) icon next to any metric to jump here.

Composite score (0–100)

A single number we calculate to help compare schools at a glance. It is not an official DfE measure. For primary schools it weights attainment (% meeting expected KS2 standard, 65%) and stretch (% achieving higher standard, 35%). For secondary schools it weights Attainment 8 (a score around 50 typically) and adjusts for Progress 8 where available.

A higher score does not necessarily mean a better school for your child. Composite scores measure exam outcomes only — they tell you nothing about pastoral care, extra-curricular provision, specialism strength, intake characteristics, or how well a school will suit a particular child. See our methodology page for the full formula.

% meeting expected RWM standard (KS2)

The percentage of Year 6 pupils who met the expected standard in all three of reading, writing and maths combined. The national figure has been around 60% in recent years.

% achieving higher RWM standard (KS2)

The percentage of Year 6 pupils who achieved the higher standard across reading, writing and maths together. Typically around 8–10% nationally.

Reading average scaled score (KS2)

Average scaled score in the Year 6 reading test. 100 is the expected standard; the national average usually sits around 104–105.

Maths average scaled score (KS2)

Average scaled score in the Year 6 maths test. 100 is the expected standard; the national average is typically 103–105.

Reading / Writing / Maths progress (KS2)

Measures how much progress pupils have made from KS1 to KS2 in each subject. Not published by DfE for 2024–25 — see data availability.

Attainment 8 (KS4)

Average GCSE points score across eight subjects: English (double-weighted), maths (double-weighted), three subjects from the EBacc list, and three further subjects. Range is typically 30–70; national average around 46.

Progress 8 (KS4)

Measures how much progress pupils have made between KS2 and KS4 compared with pupils who started with the same KS2 results. A score of 0 is national average; +0.5 is well above; –0.5 is well below. Not published by DfE for 2024–25 — see data availability.

% achieving 9–4 in English & Maths (KS4)

Percentage of pupils achieving grade 4 or better ("standard pass") in both English and maths at GCSE.

% achieving 9–5 in English & Maths (KS4)

Percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or better ("strong pass") in both English and maths at GCSE.

EBacc — average points score and % grade 5+

The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) is a set of subjects: English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. The APS is the average point score across those subjects (range typically 3–6). The "% grade 5+" figure is the proportion of pupils achieving grade 5 across all EBacc subjects.

% FSM ever-6

Percentage of pupils eligible for free school meals at any point in the last six years. A widely-used proxy for school-level deprivation.

% EAL (English as an additional language)

Percentage of pupils whose first language is recorded as something other than English.