Attainment is the result, progress is achievement over time
Attainment is a snapshot of pupils’ achievement at a point in time, for example in GCSE results.
Attainment or performance data is:
- Academic achievements in summative assessments, including final exams
- End of Key Stage (KS) results
It’s usually recorded as grades, scores or levels.
Progress is pupils’ achievement over time, for example, from KS2 to KS4.
Progress measures:
- Show the difference between pupils’ previous and current attainment
- Take pupils' starting points into account
Progress can be recorded in different ways, including primary progress scores.
See the Department for Education (DfE)’s guidance on understanding school performance measures.
How Ofsted considers progress and attainment data
Inspectors will:
- Analyse a school’s progress and attainment data when risk assessing and selecting schools for inspection
- Look at whether the collection of attainment and progress data is proportionate, and an efficient and sustainable use of staff resources
Ask for predicted attainment