What is Progress 8?
7th December 2023
If you are selecting a school for your child, you may be looking at and comparing Progress 8 scores. But what is progress 8? Read our guide to help you understand the jargon!
What does Progress 8 measure?
It is a measure used in the United Kingdom to assess the academic progress of students during their secondary education, specifically focusing on their performance in GCSE exams. Introduced in 2016, it provides a comprehensive way to evaluate a school’s effectiveness in advancing students’ learning across a range of subjects.
What subjects are included?
The calculation involves comparing a student’s achievement in eight specified subjects to their expected attainment based on their prior academic performance. These subjects include English (both literature and language), mathematics, and three additional subjects chosen from a list that encompasses sciences, humanities, and languages.
How is Progress 8 calculated?
The expected attainment for each student is determined by their Key Stage 2 (SATs) results, which are assessments taken at the end of primary education. Progress 8 then measures the progress made by students from these baseline expectations to their actual GCSE results at the end of secondary education.
What is the formula?
The formula is the sum of the differences between a student’s actual and expected attainment, divided by ten. The results are aggregated at the school level, providing an overall indicator of how well the institution facilitates student progress. A positive Progress 8 score indicates that students, on average, have exceeded their expected attainment, reflecting effective teaching and learning within the school. Conversely, a negative score suggests that students, on average, have not met their expected attainment, indicating potential areas for improvement.
To summarise
In summary, Progress 8 is a metric designed to assess and compare schools based on the progress students make during their GCSE studies. It encourages a focus on the overall development of students across a diverse set of subjects, providing a more nuanced evaluation of educational effectiveness.
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