Results and performance
International comparisons
The OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment tables (PISA) is a survey (in member and non-member nations) of 15-year-old school pupils’ scholastic performance in maths, science and reading. It is repeated every three years. Their detailed findings include rankings of student performance by country, economy and student background, the approaches to learning and the organisation of their schools.
The Trend in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) and the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) offer similar comparisons in pupils’ performances.
Primary and early secondary (Key Stages 1, 2 and 3)
Pupils begin their statutory education in the term after their fifth birthday. Key Stage 1 covers the two years from ages 5-7 while Key Stage 2 covers 7-11 year-olds.
Statistics on performance and attainment at Key Stage 1 (ages 5-7) are published by the Department for Education (DfE). Attainment is measured in terms of reading, writing, mathematics and science, as well as by subject and by the personal characteristics of pupils.
Figures for Key Stage 2 (ages 7-11) are published separately. This is also where we find performance tables for primary schools. You can find information on specific schools via the gov.uk website.
There’s also a dedicated DfE release for Key Stage 3 (ages 11-14) performance and attainment figures.
Ofsted have a School Data Dashboard which enables comparisons of individual schools with national performance levels at Key Stages 1, 2 and 4.
GCSEs (Key Stage 4)
Secondary school results and attainment (including performance tables) are published by the DfE as Key Stage 4 statistics. This data is broken down by subject, grade and pupil characteristics.
Historical examination results go back to 2001 and are published by the Joint Council for Qualifications.
A Levels (Key Stage 5)
Attainment and performance figures for A Levels are published separately by the DfE. There are college performance tables by type of award, subject and grade. There’s also a data series on the personal characteristics of students. This includes entry and achievement rates of the English Baccalaureate (EBacc)and the attainment gap between private and state schools.
Historical A Level results tables are published by the Joint Council for Qualifications and date back to 2001, although figures recorded by this body go back to the 1990s and are available on request. Figures on entries, passes and attainment levels go back as far as 1965 but are only held by individual exam boards. Alan Smithers has compiled such figures.
Diplomas
Diplomas were special qualifications (for 14-19 year olds) that combined academic and vocational learning, involving work experience and projects. Results for different types of Diploma were published by the Joint Council for Qualifications.
Inspection performance
Ofsted’s Data View is an interactive tool for inspection outcomes in a range of remits including early years, children’s centres, schools, further education and skills and children’s social care.
Higher education
The different types of classification people can get in higher education, along with results of how many graduands receive each level of degree, are published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).