Summary
There is a difference between the yearly time period for those in the social care groups compared to the outcomes data. Social care groups derived from the CIN and CLA data relate to a reporting year from 1 April to 31 March. Whereas most outcomes data relate to the academic year or the position at the spring census date. For example, absence data involves the academic year (autumn, spring, and summer terms) and special educational needs data involves spring census data.
Where applicable, figures for all pupils, whether in social care or not, are included for ease of reference as the ‘all pupils comparison’. There are some differences in how the outcomes are calculated for the all pupils comparison compared with those in the social care groups. However, the effect of these is small and figures, where provided, are still comparable.
Only children that have a PMR and match to the relevant data for each outcome are included in the outcomes data for each of the social care groups.
School census
The spring school census (opens in a new tab) is a snapshot of pupil information in schools as at the third Thursday in January. The school census covers pupils attending nursery, state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special, and state-funded alternative provision schools.
Alternative provision census
The alternative provision census (opens in a new tab) is a snapshot of pupil information in alternative provision as at the third Thursday in January. The alternative provision census covers pupils attending a school not maintained by a local authority for whom the authority is paying full tuition fees or educated otherwise than in schools and pupil referral units, under arrangements made (and funded) by the local authority.
Special educational needs (SEN)
The SEN data for the social care groups is taken from the school census and the alternative provision census. It is possible for a child to be matched to both census types if they attend more than one kind of setting. These children will be included in the figures but will only be counted once. In these cases, the highest level of SEN is counted.
The all pupils comparison for SEN only takes data from the school census. However, at national level the impact of the alternative provision figures is likely to be small, so the school census data is still comparable at national level. The all pupils comparison for SEN is taken from Special educational needs in England.
Key Stage 1
The 2021/22 academic year saw the return of the teacher assessments at Key Stage 1 after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently the first results since the 2018/19 academic year. The 2022 statistical release was the first publication of Key Stage 1 statistics for children in social care since 2019. As well as 2021/22 data, historical data was added to the publication in 2022. This was updated and earlier years refreshed in 2023. Key Stage 1 assessments became non-statutory from the 2023/24 academic year onwards. Optional assessments were still offered but the results of these are not collected and statistics will not be published.
Pupils were assessed in reading, writing, mathematics, and science in Year 2, at the end of Key Stage 1. Pupils were required to take tests in reading and mathematics at the end of Key Stage 1, however teacher assessment was the only data used and reported by the Department for Education.
Teacher assessments were based on a broad range of evidence from across the curriculum and knowledge of how a pupil had performed over time and in a variety of contexts.
Changes to the 2018/19 reading, mathematics, and science teacher assessment frameworks and the 2017/18 writing teacher assessment frameworks meant judgements made in these subjects were not directly comparable to previous years.
For more information see the Key Stage 1 and phonics screen check attainment statistical releases.
Duplicates within the Key Stage 1 data (before matching to the social care data) were removed using NPD filters. The social care groups were matched to the provisional version of Key Stage 1 data for the most recent year and the final version for earlier years. The all pupils comparison was also from the provisional version of the data in the most recent year and the final version in earlier years. The all pupils comparison for Key Stage 1 was taken from Key stage 1 and phonics screening check attainment.
The SEN data was taken from the school census and the alternative provision census. It was possible for a child to be matched to both census types if they attended more than one kind of setting. Such cases were included in the figures but were only counted once. In these cases, the highest level of SEN was counted. The Key Stage 1 data included pupils for whom SEN status could not be determined.
Key Stage 2
The 2021/22 academic year saw the return of the tests and teacher assessments at Key Stage 2 following the cancellation of the 2020 and 2021 assessment during the pandemic. The 2022 statistical release was the first publication of Key Stage 2 statistics for children in social care since 2019. As well as 2021/22 data, historical data was added to the publication in 2022. This has been updated and earlier years refreshed in 2023 and 2024.
Pupils take national curriculum assessment in Year 6, at the end of Key Stage 2, when most pupils will reach age 11 by the end of the academic year. Pupils take tests in reading, mathematics, and grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and receive a teacher assessment in writing and science. The combined reading, writing and mathematics measure uses the results of the reading and mathematics tests and the outcome of the writing teacher assessment.
For each test or teacher assessment, the number of pupils meeting the expected standard is the sum of all pupils with the following results:
- For the reading, mathematics and grammar, punctuation, and spelling tests: achieved the expected standard or met the higher standard.
- For the writing teacher assessment: working at the expected standard or working at a greater depth.
- For the science teacher assessment: working at the expected standard.
The Key Stage 2 progress measures aim to capture the progress that pupils make from the end of Key Stage 1 to the end of primary school. They are a type of value-added measure, which means that pupils’ results are compared to the actual achievements of other pupils nationally with similar prior attainment.
This publication previously included Key Stage 2 progress measures. These measures will not be published for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years as KS2 pupils in these years did not have KS1 assessments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Progress scores are calculated for individual pupils for the sole purpose of constructing a school progress score. Pupil scores are calculated separately for reading, writing and mathematics. Pupils who do not have Key Stage 1 data for reading, writing and mathematics (for example, those who entered a school from another jurisdiction, or who were absent at the time of the Key Stage 1 assessments), cannot be included in the progress measures.
For more information see the Key Stage 2 attainment statistical releases.
Duplicates within the Key Stage 2 data (before matching to the social care data) have been removed using NPD filters. The social care groups are matched to the revised version of Key Stage 2 data for the most recent year and the final version for earlier years. The all pupils comparison is also from the revised version of the data in the most recent year and the final version in earlier years. The all pupils comparison for Key Stage 2 is taken from Key Stage 2 attainment.
The SEN data is taken from the school census and the alternative provision census. It is possible for a child to be matched to both census types if they attend more than one kind of setting. Such cases will be included in the figures but will only count once. In these cases, the highest level of SEN has been counted. The Key Stage 2 data includes pupils for whom SEN status could not be determined.
Eligibility and attainment figures exclude those children who recently arrived from overseas in the LA data. Schools can apply for pupils to be discounted from their figures if they have recently arrived from overseas and their first language is not English. Although these pupils will be removed from the revised local authority figures, they remain included in the national figures so that these reflect the attainment of all pupils. Pupils with results flagged as ‘pending maladministration’ (S), ‘missing’ (M) or ‘pupil took the test/was assessed in a previous year’ (P) are excluded from national figures but included in LA figures.
In 2023 a placement breakdown was added at Key Stage 2 for CLA social care groups. There are some unexpected Key Stage 2 CLA pupils in the ‘Living independently’ category which is due to a small number of data mismatches and collection issues. Care needs to be taken when interpreting placement breakdowns in this statistical release for several reasons. Note that the placement relates to the most recent episode in the year ending 31 March, which may not be the placement the pupil is placed at the time of any assessments, nor may it be the placement the child has spent most time since becoming looked after. Also, it is important to note the differences in outcomes between these groups may not be caused by the placement type but by the differences in the characteristics of children in these placements.
Key Stage 4
The 2021/22 academic year saw the return of the summer examination series, after they had been cancelled (opens in a new tab) in 2020 and 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, where alternative processes were set up to award grades (centre assessment grades, known as CAGs, and teacher assessed grades, known as TAGs).
For more information see the Key Stage 4 performance statistics release for the academic year 2020/21 Key Stage 4 performance statistics release for academic year 2020/21.
The changes to the way GCSE grades were awarded over these two years mean 2021/22 pupil attainment data should not be directly compared to pupil attainment data from previous years for the purposes of measuring year on year changes in pupil performance. As part of the transition back to the summer examination series adaptations were made to the examinations (including advance information) and the approach to grading for 2022 examinations broadly reflected a midpoint between results in 2019 and 2021.
For more information see the Key Stage 4 performance statistics release for academic year 2021/22.
In 2022/23 there was a return to pre-pandemic standards for GCSEs, with protection built into the grading process to recognise the disruption that students have faced. For VTQs that are taken alongside, or instead, of GCSEs and A levels, there was also a return to pre-pandemic standards in 2022/23.
In the 2022/23release, comparisons were made with 2022 and with 2019. The more meaningful comparison was with 2019, the last year that summer exams were taken before the pandemic, as 2023 saw a return to pre-pandemic grading, with some protections. In 2022 outcomes broadly reflected a mid-point between 2019 and 2021, to take account of the impact of the pandemic and in line with Ofqual’s approach to grading in 2022. It was expected that performance in 2023 would generally be lower than in 2022.
For more information see the Key stage 4 performance, Academic year 2022/23 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK.
Within this release comparisons are made with 2023 and with 2019. We will compare to 2023 due to it being last year’s data, and to 2019 because it was the last year that summer exams were taken before the COVID-19 pandemic. Users need to exercise extreme caution when considering comparisons over time, as they may not reflect changes in pupil performance alone.
For more information see the Key Stage 4 performance statistics release for the academic year 2023/24.
Attainment 8 measures the average achievement of pupils in up to 8 qualifications. This includes: English language; English literature (if only one GCSE in English is taken then it is double weighted); maths (double weighted); three further qualifications that count in the English Baccalaureate (EBacc); and three further qualifications that can be GCSE qualifications (including EBacc subjects) or any other non-GCSE qualifications on the DfE approved list (opens in a new tab).
From 2018, Attainment 8 had a maximum point score of 90, compared to a maximum of 87 in 2017 and 80 in 2016. This is a consequence of the phased introduction of reformed GCSEs graded on the 9-1 scale. These differences should be considered when comparing Attainment 8 scores between 2016-2019.
Percentage of pupils achieving grade 5 or above in both English and maths GCSEs. To meet the English requirement in this measure, a pupil would have to achieve a grade 5 or above in either English literature or English language. There is no requirement to sit both.
The English Baccalaureate (EBacc) entry shows how many pupils are entering GCSEs (or AS level qualifications) in core academic subjects at KS4. The EBacc consists of English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography. To count in the EBacc, qualifications must be on the English Baccalaureate list of qualifications (opens in a new tab). In 2020, this measure is less likely to have been affected by the cancellation of exams as schools will have taken most of their entry decisions ahead of the COVID-19 disruption.
The EBacc average point score (EBacc APS) measures pupils’ point scores across the five pillars of the EBacc - English, maths, science, a language, and history or geography – with a zero for any missing pillars. This ensures the attainment of all pupils is recognised, not just those at particular grade boundaries, encouraging schools to enter pupils of all abilities, and support them to achieve their full potential.
Progress 8 aims to capture the progress a pupil makes from the end of Key Stage 2 to the end of Key Stage 4. It compares pupils’ achievement – their Attainment 8 score – with the national average Attainment 8 score of all pupils who had a similar starting point (or ‘prior attainment’), calculated using assessment results from the end of primary school. Progress 8 is a relative measure, therefore the national average Progress 8 score for mainstream schools is very close to zero. It can be used to compare the progress of different pupil characteristic and geography breakdowns.
For more information on these measures and their calculation methodology, see the secondary accountability guidance (opens in a new tab).
Generally, the coverage across different school types for the social care groups is more comprehensive than the Key Stage 4 national publication, as we aim to include as many children in social care as possible. Duplicates within the Key Stage 4 data (before matching to the social care data) are removed taking the best attainment result. In the 2020, 2021 and 2022 versions of this statistical release, the social care groups are matched to the revised version of Key Stage 4 data and the all pupils comparison is also from the revised version of the data. From 2023, the social care groups are matched to the revised version of Key Stage 4 data for the most recent year and the final version for earlier years. The all pupils comparison is also from the revised version of the data in the most recent year and the final version in earlier years, from 2023. The all pupils comparison for Key Stage 4 is taken from Key Stage 4 performance.
The SEN data is taken from the school census and the alternative provision census. It is possible for a child to be matched to both census types if they attend more than one kind of setting. Such cases will be included in the figures but will only count once. In these cases, the highest level of SEN has been counted. The Key Stage 4 data includes pupils for whom SEN status could not be determined.
Usually in the Key Stage 4 local authority level data, children that are flagged as having recently arrived from overseas are removed. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, in 2019/20 and 2020/21, children who recently arrived from overseas have not been removed from the data.
In 2023 a placement breakdown was added at Key Stage 4 for CLA social care groups. Care needs to be taken when interpreting placement breakdowns in this statistical release for several reasons. Note that the placement relates to the most recent episode in the year ending 31 March, which may not be the placement the pupil is placed at the time of any assessments, nor may it be the placement the child has spent most time since becoming looked after. Also, it is important to note the differences in outcomes between these groups may not be caused by the placement type but by the differences in the characteristics of children in these placements.
Destinations
The most recent Key Stage 4 destination measures follow pupils who were at the end of Key Stage 4 study (GCSE and equivalent qualification) in 2021/22 and reports their destinations in the following academic year (2022/23). They show the percentage of pupils going to an education, apprenticeship, or employment destination. To be counted in a destination, young people have to have sustained participation for a 6-month period in the destination year. Further details are provided in the methodology document that accompanies the Key Stage 4 destination measures statistical release.
The percentages for the social care groups are much less than the overall pupil population figures published in the Key Stage 4 destination measures statistical release. However, it should be noted that the figures in this outcomes release include additional institutions, so they are not directly comparable. For example, other institutions include independent schools, independent special schools and secure units. For this reason, we do not have an all pupils comparison for this outcome.
In 2021, we updated the matching methodology for destinations, increasing the number of children at the end of Key Stage 4 being matched to destinations data.
In 2022, the 2016/17 data had been revised after it was found that 6th form colleges that convert to 16-19 academies and free schools were coming through as general FE colleges.
Absence
Persistent absentees
A pupil is identified as persistently absent if they miss 10% or more of possible sessions.
Severe absentees
A pupil is identified as severely absent if they miss 50% or more of possible sessions. This is the first time severe absence has been included in this statistical release.
Absence data is collected one term in arrears of the school census. In 2020, due to the pandemic absence data for 2019/20 was only collected for the autumn term 2019. In 2020 and 2021 autumn term absence data was included in this statistical release. In recent years, autumn term absence rates have given reasonable indications of trends in the full year. However, absence in a single term can be more affected by the level of seasonal flu or other illnesses. Since the return of the full year absence data in 2021, the autumn term absence data is no longer included in this statistical release from 2022.
During 2020/21, an additional code was introduced to record where pupils were not attending in circumstances related to coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes pupils self-isolating and shielding, including when a class or bubble was required to stay at home. During these sessions, these children could not attend school and so they are treated separately, and not counted within the standard absence rates within this publication. Where a pupil was not attending in these circumstances, schools were expected to provide immediate access to remote education. For most of the spring term, only children of critical workers and vulnerable pupils could attend school during the period of lockdown from 4 January 2021. Restrictions were lifted on attendance from 8 March 2021 for all other pupils, four school weeks prior to the end of term. Due to the disruption faced during the spring term, caution should be taken when comparing data to previous years. For more detailed information see the Pupil absence in schools in England 2020/21.
For the social care groups, absence data is matched to school census data for each school type, so the pupils included are those on the school census with absence data. The all pupils comparison figures taken from the national publication are produced using a different methodology based on enrolments and the school type is allocated in a different way. As a result of this, the all pupils comparison is not provided by school type as it is not appropriate to compare. The all pupils comparison for absence is taken from Pupil absence in schools in England and includes absence for all pupils who attend the same types of school as the social care groups (state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special, and state-funded alternative provisions schools. The social care groups and the all pupils comparison absence data is for children of compulsory school age (age 5 to 15 at 31st August).
Suspensions and permanent exclusions
Suspension (formerly fixed period exclusion)
Refers to a pupil who has been suspended from a school for a set period of time.
Permanent exclusion
Refers to a pupil who has been permanently excluded and who will not come back to that school (unless the permanent exclusion is overturned). This data only includes permanent exclusions which have been upheld by the governing body or Independent Review Panel (IRP), and not those which are still ongoing. The permanent exclusion percentage is calculated as the number of permanent exclusions divided by the number of pupils (x100).
Suspensions and permanent exclusions data is collected two terms in arrears, which means the latest available data is for the 2022/23 academic year. Pupils with one or more suspension refers to pupils who have had at least one suspension across the full academic year.
The 2019/20 academic year includes the start of the pandemic when, from 23 March, school sites were closed for all but those children of critical workers and vulnerable children, with others being educated remotely. Suspensions and permanent exclusions were possible throughout the full academic year but comparisons to previous years should be treated with caution.
For the social care groups, suspensions and permanent exclusions data is matched to school census data for each school type. The all pupils comparison figures taken from the national publication are produced using a different methodology based on enrolments and the school type is allocated in a different way. As a result of this, the all pupils comparison is not provided by school type as it is not appropriate to compare. The all pupils comparison for suspensions and permanent exclusions is taken from Permanent exclusions and suspensions in England and includes suspensions and permanent exclusions for all pupils who attend the same types of school as the social care groups (state-funded primary, state-funded secondary, special, and state-funded alternative provision schools). The social care groups and the all pupils comparison suspensions and permanent exclusions data have no age restriction.
Free school meals (FSM)
The FSM eligibility data for the social care groups is taken from the school census and the alternative provision census. It is possible for a child to be matched to both census types if they attend more than one kind of setting. Such cases will be included in the figures but will only count once. In these cases, FSM eligibility has been counted if it appears on either census.
Children in state-funded schools in England are entitled to receive free school meals if a parent or carer was in receipt of certain benefits. More information on free school meal eligibility is provided in the Schools, pupils and their characteristics statistical release.
Since 1 April 2018, transitional protections have been in place which will continue during the roll out of Universal Credit. This has meant that pupils eligible for free school meals on or after 1 April 2018 retain their free school meals eligibility even if their circumstances change. Prior to the pandemic, this had been the main driver in the increase in the proportion of pupils eligible for free school meals as pupils continue to become eligible but fewer pupils stop being eligible.
Any pupil gaining eligibility for free school meals after 1 April 2018 will be protected against losing free school meals until March 2025. After March 2025, any existing claimants that no longer meet the eligibility criteria at that point (because they are earning above the threshold or are no longer a recipient of Universal Credit) will continue to receive free school meals until the end of their current phase of education (i.e. primary or secondary).
The all pupils comparison for FSM takes data from the school census and the alternative provision census. The all pupils comparison for FSM is taken from Schools, pupils and their characteristics.
School type
The social care groups are matched to school census data for information on school type. The all pupils comparison figures taken from the national publication have school type allocated in a different way. As a result of this, the all pupils comparison is not provided by school type as it is not appropriate to compare. The all pupils comparison is taken from Schools, pupils and their characteristics.