📊 43.7% estimated to achieve full marks in the MTC. 📖 82.1% estimated to achieve the expected standard in the PSC (Y1). These are the latest national estimates from Insight. @richardselfridge.bsky.social and @jpembroke.bsky.social discuss how these results compare to previous years: buff.ly/3ehCfLn

One week ‘til KS2 results day.

Assessment matters. But high-stakes accountability can turn it into performance theatre. The issue is not individual teachers or schools. It is a system that rewards threshold focus and public signals over diagnostic use. We should protect assessment by lowering the stakes around it.

School Data Updates@jpembroke.bsky.social · last mo.

I love the distribution of scores (2022-2025)

From Insight data, it looks like there’s going to be a big increase in % achieving full marks in MTC. 37% last year; probably over 40% this year.

Hot off the press: The 2026 phonics screening check threshold mark is.... 31! www.gov.uk/government/p...

Phonics screening check: 2026 materials

Scoring guidance, pupils' materials and answer sheet for the 2026 phonics screening check.

gov.uk

For the first time since its implementation in 2012, the phonics pass mark has changed. For 2026, the expected standard is 31/40 or more www.gov.uk/government/p...

Phonics screening check: 2026 materials

Scoring guidance, pupils' materials and answer sheet for the 2026 phonics screening check.

gov.uk

*NEW POST* primary school progress measures are back this year so here’s a reminder of how they work. Includes a link to download my VA calculator tool, to help you model it. www.insightinform.co.uk/2026/05/11/t...

The Return of Progress - Insight Inform

This year sees the return of Key Stage 1-2 primary progress measures after a two year hiatus so it’s worth reflecting on how they are calculated and how the results are used. Primary school progress m...

insightinform.co.uk

Having to bring your bin back in because you forgot about the bank holiday rescheduling feels like a domestic walk of shame #dadisland

*NEW POST* Absolute vs Relative Assessment. www.insightinform.co.uk/2026/04/10/a...

Absolute vs relative assessment data - Insight Inform

Teacher assessment data tends to fall into one of two camps: absolute and relative. James Pembroke considers the issues which arise when attempts are made to combine the two types of data, and suggests an approach which schools might take.

insightinform.co.uk

Amazing couple of days walking coast path in North Cornwall

*NEW POST* Absolute vs Relative Assessment. www.insightinform.co.uk/2026/04/10/a...

Absolute vs relative assessment data - Insight Inform

Teacher assessment data tends to fall into one of two camps: absolute and relative. James Pembroke considers the issues which arise when attempts are made to combine the two types of data, and suggests an approach which schools might take.

insightinform.co.uk

Pleased to see that the confusing multi year and individual year bar charts have been ditched in the IDSR. New format is much clearer.

If you’re an @insighthq.bsky.social user, you can book a consultancy call Mon-Thurs mornings to discuss assessment data and how to make best use of the system. Popular topics include SEND, EYFS, standardised tests, and progress. Book via Insight help menu (Insight Inform surgery)

Ran a couple of Databusters’ sessions last night. It was great to be back in a room spreading the message about effective and proportionate use of school data. If you’re interested in organising an event in your area, please get in touch. Beige buffet guaranteed. 🥪

We're really excited to announce that @insighthq.bsky.social @jpembroke.bsky.social @richardselfridge.bsky.social will be running their 'Databusting Surrey with the Educakers' event with us in June. Have a look at the link below for more information. We'd love to meet so many of you in person!

Databusting Surrey with The Educakers

A practical one-day workshop for primary and MAT senior leaders on making assessment and data work in practice, without adding to workload.

eventbrite.co.uk

Schools will no longer be publicly compared to the national 'average' for their progress scores in a proposed overhaul of government league tables https://schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-wants-to-ditch-average-labels-for-school-progress-scores/

DfE set to ditch 'average' labels for school progress scores

Government also fleshes out plans for additional progress score for low prior attaining pupils

schoolsweek.co.uk

Thanks @richardselfridge.bsky.social for sending this. Proposed change to DfE performance bands, away from confidence interval-based approach to a simpler quintile method. Whether it gives useful info is another matter schoolsweek.co.uk/dfe-wants-to...

DfE set to ditch 'average' labels for school progress scores

Government also fleshes out plans for additional progress score for low prior attaining pupils

schoolsweek.co.uk

Expected Standard descriptor for Early Years, p60 of Ofsted Toolkit. In absence of EYFSP data in IDSR and without any statistical analysis of outcomes, how do inspectors judge if GLD is ‘broadly in line with national averages’? assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/690b26...

Nordic combined is the Winter Olympics equivalent of key cutting and shoe repair.

Join @jpembroke.bsky.social and me as we look under the hood of the IDSR in the latest Insight Inform podcast. www.insightinform.co.uk/podcast/ Please listen, comment and repost!

They should also consider adding the number of pupils to the results section of the report card for all schools. Without the actual numbers, the percentages are meaningless. Any more than 6 pupils and it’s published. Gap data especially problematic. www.insightinform.co.uk/2026/02/05/p...

Schools Week@schoolsweek.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Ofsted is considering removing national data comparators for special schools from its report cards, following concerns that labelling them 'well below average' for pupil numbers could confuse and mislead parents https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-reviews-data-shown-in-special-school-report-cards/

Ofsted is considering removing national data comparators for special schools from its report cards, following concerns that labelling them 'well below average' for pupil numbers could confuse and mislead parents https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-reviews-data-shown-in-special-school-report-cards/

Ofsted reviews data shown in special school report cards

New reports currently compare metrics like capacity of special schools to other schools in their phase

schoolsweek.co.uk

*DATABUSTERS LIVE* Join us in beautiful Derbyshire. Details below.

Richard Selfridge@richardselfridge.bsky.social · 6mo ago

Looking forward to discussing the Ofsted toolkit and DfE performance measures, amongst other things, at Databusting Derbyshire on Friday 27th February. Join @jpembroke.bsky.social & me as we bring our latest Databusters Day to Ashover. More detail & tickets: www.insightinform.co.uk/event/databu...

*NEW POST* 2nd in our series on the new IDSR. This one on making sense of gaps by converting to pupil equivalent number www.insightinform.co.uk/2026/02/05/p...

Percentage gaps and pupil equivalence - Insight Inform

If you are trying to make sense of your IDSR or any other source of data where percentages of pupils are compared to national figures, it is well worth converting gaps into the equivalent number of pu...

insightinform.co.uk

*DATABUSTERS DERBYSHIRE* join me and Richard in Ashover for a whole day of databusting www.insightinform.co.uk/event/databu...

In order to allow myself to watch the supposedly legendary final scene of 28 Years Later: Bone Temple, I am watching the films in order. 28 Weeks Later is such a pile of stinky pants.

*DATABUSTERS DERBYSHIRE* tickets now available for the first of our Databusters days. Join us in beautiful Ashover on the edge of the Peak for a whole day of data fun. Morning focused on accountability/IDSR; afternoon on assessment, tracking, reporting. www.insightinform.co.uk/event/databu...

I cancelled Disney+ and now they bring the Muppets back. FFS.

*DATABUSTERS DERBYSHIRE* tickets now available for the first of our Databusters days. Join us in beautiful Ashover on the edge of the Peak for a whole day of data fun. Morning focused on accountability/IDSR; afternoon on assessment, tracking, reporting. www.insightinform.co.uk/event/databu...

As Ofsted published its first full report cards for schools, leaders have shared their views on the new inspection and grading regime. Here's what they had to say... schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-publi...

Ofsted publishes first school report cards

Leaders give their views on new inspections as reports for 21 volunteer schools are released

schoolsweek.co.uk