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Attainment and progress: know the difference

When it comes to measuring pupil performance, it can be easy to confuse attainment and progress. Be clear about the difference so you can effectively analyse your school’s performance data.

Last reviewed on 17 March 2026See updates
School types: All•School phases: All•Ref: 11820
Contents
  1. Attainment is the result, progress is achievement over time
  2. How Ofsted considers attainment and progress
  3. Cancelled assessments affect progress data
  4. How to analyse your school's data 

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 DfE’s guidance on understanding school performance measures.

How Ofsted considers attainment and progress

Inspectors will consider your pupils' attainment and progress over time in national tests and exams, where relevant. You can find this information