New research shows the number of schools failing to meet minimum standards could increase by as much as 72 percent

New research by FFT shows the number of schools failing to meet minimum standards could increase as much as 72 percent.

New research from FFT to model the effect of upcoming reforms to school accountability measures suggests that the number of secondary schools failing to meet minimum standards could increase by as much as 72 percent.

The research, based on 2013 GCSE results from all state secondaries open in July 2013, shows that 189 of them failed to meet the current floor standard of at least 40 percent of pupils gaining five A* - C GCSEs or equivalent, including English and mathematics (5ACEM).

However, in 2014, new criteria will be applied with each pupil's first entry only and subjects approved following the Wolf review being counted. If the Wolf review changes had been applied to 2013 then the number of schools below the floor standard would have been 345.

DfE plan to change the floor standard and, from 2016 onwards for all schools, they will be measured against the Progress 8 target, which looks at the progress pupils make in relation to prior attainment across a broader range of eight subjects. Had this been applied to 2013 outcomes then 325 schools would have failed to achieve the floor standard.

Of the 325 secondary schools which would have fallen below the new Progress 8 target 145 had GCSE grades high enough to be above the current 5ACEM floor standard. There were, however, 175 schools which were below the 5ACEM floor standard but would not have been below had Progress 8 been used.

An overview of this research will be discussed at FFT's series of Progress 8 events. The half day events, in London, Birmingham and London during November, are suitable for all categories of educational institution that cater for secondary age students and will be delivered by Dr Mike Treadaway, Director, Innovation and Research for FFT and Duncan Baldwin, Deputy Policy Director for ASCL.

Mike Treadaway, from FFT, says 'As schools prepare for a sea change in accountability in 2016 it is vital that school leaders understand how they will be held to account through Progress 8, and our new research highlights even further how many may face new uncertainties whilst formulating an achievable action plan.

At these events, all attendees will receive their own personalised FFT data report to help school leaders explore and understand the practicalities for their school, building up an outline of key issues for action – including whether to opt in to Progress 8 in 2015.'

The briefings cost £129 plus vat. To book a place or to read the research in full please visit www.fft.org.uk.