KS2 Progress Scores
Understanding how primary schools are measured — and why progress matters more than raw results.
What are KS2 progress scores?
Progress scores measure how much academic progress pupils make between taking their Key Stage 1 SATs (at age 7) and their Key Stage 2 SATs (at age 11). They tell you how effectively a school is teaching, regardless of pupils' starting points.
A score of 0 means pupils made the nationally expected amount of progress. A positive score means pupils progressed more than average. A negative score means they progressed less.
How to Read Them
What the numbers mean
+2.5
Above Average
Pupils made significantly more progress than the national average. The school is adding strong value.
0.0
National Average
Pupils made exactly the expected amount of progress. This is the benchmark, not a poor result.
-1.8
Below Average
Pupils made less progress than average. This doesn't mean pupils did badly, just that they progressed less than peers nationally.
Scores are published for three subjects
Reading
Measures how much progress pupils make in reading between the end of Key Stage 1 (age 7) and Key Stage 2 (age 11).
Writing
Based on teacher assessments at the end of Year 6, compared to where pupils started at the end of Year 2.
Maths
Measures progress in mathematics from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 using the end-of-year SATs results.
Common Questions
Frequently asked questions
What does a score of 0 mean?
A score of 0 means pupils made exactly the amount of progress expected nationally. It's the average, not a failing grade.
What's a 'good' progress score?
Any positive score means pupils made more progress than the national average. Scores above +2 are considered significantly above average. Scores between 0 and +2 are above average.
Are progress scores better than raw results?
Yes, for comparing schools fairly. A school in a disadvantaged area with a progress score of +3 is adding more value than a school in an affluent area with a score of -1, even if the second school has higher raw SATs results.
Do all schools get progress scores?
Most state primary schools do. Very small schools, special schools, and some independent schools may not have published progress scores due to small cohort sizes.
How often are scores updated?
Annually, following the publication of SATs results (usually in December for the previous academic year).