Value Added Scores

[Mamaof123]

Hi I was just wondering if anyone knew if there was a way to find the value added scores for independent secondary schools? Is there a ranking or table of some sort? Many thanks

Hi OP

I believe there are no value added scores for KS4 (GSCEs) because independent schools are not subject to DoE rules on secondary accountability measures (just maintained, academies and free schools are).

However, you can get value added scores for KS5 (A-levels) as independent schools sit both GCSEs and A-levels.

When you compare value added scores for state and independent schools that get the same average mark at A-level (i.e. attempting to control for prior attainment/inherited characteristics) you find no difference between them. That is consistent with research that tries to assess the same for GCSEs e.g. eprints.lse.ac.uk/86752/1/Von-Stumm_Selective%20and%20Non-Selective%20Schools_Published.pdf

Sorry forgot to say to get the KS5 value added scores for a school search for the school on www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/ and its under '16-18' and then 'Advanced level qualifications'. Here's an example for Eton College:
www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/110158/eton-college/16-to-18/advanced-level-qualifications?accordionstate=0

Thank you so much @tadger98 I am
Going to have a look now. A few independents speak of their value added but then there isn’t much other detail

To get value added scores, you need a baseline to work them out from. Most private primaries/preps won't do KS2 tests, so there isn't any consistent intake data. If most children have done common entrance, I guess that could be used.
Value added would undoubtedly be interesting. Mostly, the schools with stellar results attract loads of applications and so only take the very brightest - who almost inevitably get stellar results, and so it continues...

Yes totally agree. The less academic speak of value added so perhaps they test when the children start however I’m not sure if they all do this which makes comparisons harder

While it would be immensely helpful, unfortunately I doubt we'll ever see independent schools captured in KS4 value added scores for the reasons you say @lanthanum, and also for the fact that there isn't any incentive for them to do so - it means they can focus on headline attainment measures and, as @Mamaof123 says, intangible notions of 'value added'. But at least we have their KS5 value added scores which is something.

Having Independents progress score at A-level is helpful, but unfortunately it's only slightly useful, as a school with a low value may have a very high GCSE progress score and a school with a high value may have an average GCSE progress score, but the net result (after A-levels) is the same!

Each Independent will have some sort of 'progress' system at GCSE, e.g. CEM. I asked our school for their GCSE progress but they wouldn't share it!

I wonder if the ones that speak of value-added are the ones that have a substantial intake of state-school primary kids who didn't make it into the grammars. They'd have KS2 results to measure against, then, and would presumably be advertising to parents of other similar kids who are wondering whether private will be worth it in terms of GCSE grades.

One school we applied to the Head showed the Value added in her talk. The independent schools tend to take CAtS or CEM to get their value added I think. It is important because the selective schools are not actually adding much when you drill into it - they get the best kids and get the best results IYSWIM! For an average child progress is more important. I asked three schools for their score and they gave it to me

If you directly ask the school for figures, some will find something to show you or tell you...but you’d usually have to ask a pretty direct question.

Yes independent schools do use CAM, CATS, ISEB etc. but my understanding is that it is still only the minority of schools which do so, which makes comparisons between the school and their peer group difficult, especially as there are three different types of test used.