1. Eastern Region and London NE Boroughs Headteacher Associations’
August Results 2017
Data Sharing Initiative for School to School Support

2. Qualifications included in the measures
Progress 8 is based on a calculation of pupils’ performance across 8 qualifications, called Attainment 8. These qualifications are:
1. A double weighted mathematics element that will contain the point score of the pupil’s English Baccalaureate (EBacc) mathematics qualification.
2. An English element based on the highest point score in a pupil’s EBacc English language or English literature qualification. This will be double weighted provided a pupil has taken both qualifications. In 2016 an English (combined) qualification can be included and double weighted.
3. An element which can include the three highest point scores from any of the EBacc qualifications in science subjects, computer science, history, geography, and languages. For more information see the list of qualifications that count in the EBacc. The qualifications can count in any combination and there is no requirement to take qualifications in each of the ‘pillars’ of the EBacc.
4. The remaining element contains the three highest point scores in any three other subjects, including English language or literature (if not counted in the English slot), further GCSE qualifications (including EBacc subjects) or any other technical awards from the DfE approved list. For more information see the list of qualifications that will be included in the 2016 key stage 4 performance tables, 2017 key stage 4 performance tables, and the 2018 key stage 4 performance tables.
If a pupil has not taken the maximum number of qualifications that count in each group then they will receive a point score of zero where a slot is empty.
No legacy GCSEs (A*-G), International GCSEs or level 1/level 2 certificates in these subjects will count in performance tables once new GCSEs (9-1) in that subject are introduced.

3. So what can schools rely on
So what can schools rely on? Well, we’ve already said that exam boards will set standards so that broadly the same proportion of students will achieve a grade 4 and above as previously achieved a C and above. Similarly, the proportions achieving grade 7 and above will be broadly the same as those achieving the old grade A and above. And we’ll be basing this on 16-year-old students.
What does that mean in terms of numbers? In 2016, in English and in maths, about 70% of 16-year-old students achieved a grade C or above. So we’d expect a similar percentage to achieve a 4 and above in At A, the figures are different in English and maths: in % of 16-year-olds achieved an A or above in English and 20% achieved an A or above in maths. Again, we expect these figures to be broadly the same in 2017.

4. The government wants to see the percentage of pupils achieving a grade 5 and above rising as the performance of the education system improves - but this will take time. Indeed the process used by Ofqual to avoid grade inflation will ensure that broadly the same proportion of pupils achieve the grade 4 and above this summer as achieved the grade C and above last year. This is why I want to be very clear to schools, employers, colleges and pupils themselves that a “standard pass” is a credible achievement and one that should be valued as a passport to future study and employment.
I am determined to continue to raise standards in our schools. For this reason I will continue to publish not just the “standard pass” (grade 4 and above) but also the “strong pass” (at grade 5 and above) in school performance tables. To reflect this ambition, achievement at the “strong pass” will be one of the benchmarks used to measure the performance of schools – comparable with the strongest performing education systems. This will not affect individual pupils, but - alongside other performance measures – will allow parents, Ofsted and others to see which schools are getting the best results from their pupils – ensuring we can provide more support to those schools that need it.

5. 2017 National Reference Test successfully completed
News story
2017 National Reference Test successfully completed
From:
Ofqual
Part of:
National Reference Test: information
Published:
22 March 2017
Ofqual has today confirmed that the first annual National Reference Test (NRT) has been held and that the test went according to plan.
Each year, the test is taken by a sample of students in year 11, shortly before they take their GCSEs. This year’s test was held in 341 schools between 20 February and 3 March. At each school, up to 30 students took the English test and another 30 students took the maths test. The National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER) carried out the testing in each school on Ofqual’s behalf and is now marking and analysing the students’ papers.

8. Science qualifications
All students have to study some science up to the age of 16. The key stage 4 science curriculum is compulsory in maintained schools, and academies are required to provide a broad and balanced curriculum, including English, mathematics and science, up to the age of 16.
In 2016 and 2017, core and additional science GCSE will take up one slot each in the Progress 8 measure. Core science GCSE alone will take up one slot – a pupil does not have to take additional science for core science to count in Progress 8. Separate GCSEs in biology, chemistry, physics and computer science each take up one slot, and can count in Progress 8 in any combination. The ‘double science’ level 1/level 2 certificates that are offered by some awarding organisations can take up two slots in either the EBacc or open elements of Progress 8 where this represents the highest relevant grades achieved (provided they are recognised for inclusion in performance tables). One grade from this qualification can fill one slot if higher grades are achieved in other qualifications.
The points awarded to double science are averaged, which means for example, that a double science grade of a grade 6 and a grade 5 would be averaged to two 5.5 points to fill either one or two slots as appropriate (a maximum of 11 points across two slots).