School failing to meet ‘floor’ progress level

to be ‘coasting’ - that’s when pupils have consistently failed to make adequate progress over the past three years.

It’s possible for schools to be classed as both below floor level and coasting - as one is just for 2018, and the other looks at the performance over three years.

The government insists its Progress 8 data ‘rewards schools for the progress made by all their pupils’.

But the system has faced criticism that the simplistic nature of it punishes schools in deprived areas - because test and exam scores are only part of the picture.

Andrew Conroy, headteacher at the school, declined to comment on the matter. Nansi Ellis, assistant general secretary of the National Education Union, says the tables are ‘not an accurate or reliable indicator’.

She said: “The Progress 8 measure that is used is inherently flawed.

“Using the grade a child achieved in primary school in two subjects is not a safe starting point against which to assess their attainment five years later.

“Nor does it take into account all the additional problems and factors.

“The tables can also disadvantage schools in economically and socially deprived areas.

“Many good schools fall in the bottom half of the tables simply because they serve poorer communities.”

A DfE spokesman said: “We publish a wide range of performance data including Progress 8 scores and what pupils go on to do after school or college - to help parents decide on a school for their children and for schools to measure their performance.

“Our school accountability measures reflect our high expectations for all pupils, whatever their background.

“Progress 8 takes prior attainment into account and rewards schools for the progress made by all their pupils, not just those at particular grade thresholds.”