Exclusions and suspensions in 2023/24
Based on our analysis of attendance registers, rates of exclusions and suspensions in 2023/24 were higher than last year
Usage of new attendance codes
New statutory guidance for managing attendance, including changes to absence codes used in school registers, was introduced at the start of the year. We have an early look at what the data looks like for the new codes.
How attainment gaps in literacy change over time
We examine how attainment gaps between different groups of pupils defined by disadvantage, gender and term of birth change from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 4.
How far do pupils travel to alternative provision (and does this affect their attendance)?
We find that absence in AP schools doesn't appear to be associated with how far away pupils live. We also find that subsidiary-registered pupils tend to be absent less often at AP schools than their other schools.
How did Ofsted grades for overall effectiveness relate to the four sub-judgments?
With grades for overall effectiveness no longer being published following inspection, we look into whether grades for sub-judgments differed from the overall grade.
What became of the “failing” schools of the early 2000s?
We take a trip back in time to catch up with secondary schools that were persistently low attaining at the turn of the century, under the previous Labour government
The rise and rise of Education, Health and Care Plans
The rate at which pupils are obtaining EHC plans has been growing at a faster rate in recent years, particularly among older (secondary-age) pupils
Caution when interpreting value added scores in languages at Key Stage 4
We recommend some changes to the languages value added measure published in secondary school performance tables to reflect the languages entered by pupils
Why are alternative provision schools so full? An update
According to official statistics, there are fewer pupils in AP schools than pre-pandemic. Yet reports in the media suggests they are struggling to meet demand. We look into this in more detail.