School performance

School performance

The Department for Education produces annual achievement and attainment tables to enable parents and others in the community to see how their local schools compare with levels of performance in schools elsewhere, and with average levels in the local authorities and across the country as a whole.

Information on the performance of individual Local Authority Maintained and Voluntary Controlled schools and Academies for Key Stage 2 and GCSE level can be viewed via the following links:

• Dept for Education Performance tables
• Ofsted inspection reports for schools and settings

The National Curriculum

Pupils aged 5-16 in maintained schools must be taught the National Curriculum into four "Key Stages" that depend on child's age. Progress through school is measured in these key stages.

Foundation Stage is the period beginning with a child when he/she reaches the age of four. It ends at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his or her class reach the age of five (nursery and reception year groups).

Key Stage 1 is the period beginning with a child becoming compulsory school-age. It ends at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils in his or her class reach the age of seven (year group 1 and 2).

Key Stage 2 is the period beginning at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils reach the age of eight. It ends at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils attain the age of 11 (year group 3-6).

Key Stage 3 is the period beginning at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils reach the age of 12. It ends at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils reach the age of 14 (year group 7-9).

Key Stage 4 begins at the same time as the school year in which the majority of pupils reach the age of 15. It ends with the expiry of the school year in which the majority of pupils cease to be of compulsory school-age (year group 10 and 11).

Levels of achievement

The National Curriculum sets standards of achievement in each subject for pupils aged 5-14. For most subjects, these standards range from Levels 1-8. Pupils progress through the levels as they get older and learn more:

• most 7 year olds are expected to achieve Level 2
• most 11 year olds are expected to achieve Level 4
• most 14 year olds are expected to achieve Level 5 or 6