This measure highlights any differences in the performance of pupils who, at the end of KS2, were low attaining, high attaining or performing at expected levels. We will show separately the results for each of these groups of pupils alongside the results for all pupils in the cohort and the national average.
Prior attainment definitions are based on the KS2 test results attained by pupils on completion of the primary school phase:
- Below expected level = those below Level 4 in the KS2 tests;
- At expected level = those at Level 4 in the KS2 tests;
- Above expected level = those above Level 4 in the KS2 tests.
To establish a pupil’s KS2 attainment level, we calculated the pupil’s average point score in National Curriculum Tests for English, maths and science and classified those with a point score of less than 24 as low; those between 24 and 29.99 as middle, and those with 30 or more as high attaining.
Where test results were not available, Teacher Assessment was used where feasible. In these cases, we took the whole level (teachers can split levels when assessing a pupil) and allocated the appropriate points relating to the mid-range of that level.
If there was no test result or teacher assessment for a pupil, we excluded them from calculations.
