Primary School KS2 Rankings
Understanding how SchoolChecker.io calculates primary school rankings using official Key Stage 2 performance data
Schoolchecker.io Ranking Methodology
SchoolChecker.io ranks primary schools using a comprehensive methodology based on official Key Stage 2 (KS2) performance data published by the Department for Education. The ranking system follows industry best practices to ensure fair and accurate comparisons.
Rankings are calculated annually for each academic year and are based on the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in Reading, Writing & Maths (RWM) assessments.
Ranking Criteria (In Order of Priority)
1. Reading, Writing & Maths Expected Percentage
The primary ranking factor is the percentage of pupils meeting the expected standard in all three subjects combined.
Higher percentages rank higher. This is the most important factor as it represents overall academic achievement.
2. Reading, Writing & Maths Higher Percentage
When schools have identical expected percentages, the percentage achieving at a higher standard is compared.
Higher percentages rank higher. This rewards schools that excel beyond the expected standard.
3. Gap Between Expected and Higher
When both expected and higher percentages are identical, the consistency gap is examined.
Smaller gaps rank higher. This rewards schools with more consistent performance across all ability levels.
4. GPS Expected Percentage
When schools are tied on all RWM criteria, GPS (Grammar, Punctuation & Spelling) expected percentage is compared.
Higher GPS percentages rank higher. This provides a meaningful academic tie-breaker based on literacy performance.
5. GPS Higher Standard Percentage
When schools are tied on all previous criteria, GPS higher standard percentage is compared for extra accuracy.
Higher GPS higher percentages rank higher. This final criterion ensures maximum precision in ranking schools with very similar performance.
Tied Schools
Schools with identical performance across all five criteria are considered tied and receive the same ranking position.
Real School Examples (2024 Data)
Example 1: High-Performing School
Mossbourne Riverside Academy
URN: 140426 | Hackney, London
Ranking Calculation
Primary Factor: 75% RWM Expected (excellent)
Secondary Factor: 25% RWM Higher (very good)
Tertiary Factor: 50% gap (reasonable consistency)
Quaternary Factor: 78% GPS Expected (excellent)
Quinary Factor: 47% GPS Higher (excellent)
Result: This school ranks very highly due to strong performance in both expected and higher standards.
Example 2: Average-Performing School
Abraham Moss Community School
URN: 150009 | Manchester
Ranking Calculation
Primary Factor: 54% RWM Expected (below average)
Secondary Factor: 7% RWM Higher (low)
Tertiary Factor: 47% gap (large gap indicates inconsistency)
Quaternary Factor: 66% GPS Expected (average)
Quinary Factor: 27% GPS Higher (below average)
Result: This school ranks lower due to below-average performance in both expected and higher standards.
Example 3: Ranking Comparison
Let's compare two schools with similar expected percentages to see how tie-breaking works:
School A
RWM Expected: 75%
RWM Higher: 25%
Gap: 50%
GPS Expected: 78%
GPS Higher: 35%
School B
RWM Expected: 75%
RWM Higher: 25%
Gap: 50%
GPS Expected: 78%
GPS Higher: 40%
Ranking Decision
1. Both have 75% RWM Expected → Tie
2. Both have 25% RWM Higher → Tie
3. Both have 50% Gap → Tie
4. Both have 78% GPS Expected → Tie
5. School B has 40% vs School A's 35% GPS Higher → School B wins
Result: School B ranks higher due to better GPS higher standard performance, despite being tied on all other criteria.
Example 4: Early Differentiation
Schools with different expected percentages are ranked immediately by the primary criterion:
School C
RWM Expected: 85%
RWM Higher: 15%
Gap: 70%
GPS Expected: 72%
GPS Higher: 28%
School D
RWM Expected: 78%
RWM Higher: 30%
Gap: 48%
GPS Expected: 85%
GPS Higher: 45%
Ranking Decision
1. School C has 85% vs School D's 78% RWM Expected → School C wins
Result: School C ranks higher due to superior RWM expected performance, despite School D's better performance in other areas.
Example 5: GPS Tie-Breaking
Schools tied on RWM criteria are differentiated by GPS performance:
School E
RWM Expected: 68%
RWM Higher: 18%
Gap: 50%
GPS Expected: 82%
GPS Higher: 32%
School F
RWM Expected: 68%
RWM Higher: 18%
Gap: 50%
GPS Expected: 75%
GPS Higher: 38%
Ranking Decision
1. Both have 68% RWM Expected → Tie
2. Both have 18% RWM Higher → Tie
3. Both have 50% Gap → Tie
4. School E has 82% vs School F's 75% GPS Expected → School E wins
Result: School E ranks higher due to better GPS expected performance, despite School F's superior GPS higher percentage.
Percentile Calculation
Once schools are ranked, percentiles are calculated to show how each school compares to all others:
Percentile = ((Total Schools - Rank + 1) / Total Schools) × 100Data Sources & Updates
Official Data Sources
- Department for Education (DfE) Key Stage 2 performance data
- Official school information from EduBase
- Annual updates following DfE publication schedule
Ranking Updates
- Rankings are recalculated annually when new KS2 data is published
- Historical rankings are preserved for comparison across years
- Schools are ranked within their respective academic years
Important Limitations
Rankings vs. Progress
Rankings show achievement levels (how high pupils finish), not progress(how much they improve). A school with excellent rankings may not necessarily add the most value to pupils' education.
Context Matters
Rankings don't account for factors like pupil demographics, special educational needs, or socio-economic challenges that may affect performance.
Use Rankings Wisely
Rankings are one tool among many for school comparison. Consider Ofsted reports, school visits, and other factors when making educational decisions.
Explore School Rankings
Now that you understand how rankings work, explore schools in your area and see their performance data.