Similar schools model for attainment: overview
Updated 16 July 2026
Applies to England
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The Department for Education (DfE) and Ofsted have been working together to develop a similar schools model for attainment. This provides additional information to help understand how well pupils in one school are achieving compared to schools with a similar context. The model identifies similar schools based on a range of factors that have been shown to be key influences on attainment.
How similar schools data will be used in inspections
Ofsted will include similar schools information in its inspection data summary reports (IDSRs) from September 2026. The data will not be used to make grading decisions. Instead, it will add an extra layer of information to support inspectors’ understanding of a school’s context and help with discussions around achievement and pupils’ progress.
Similar schools comparisons will sit alongside the existing data in the IDSR. As part of their preparation for inspections, inspectors consider the data in the IDSR, using it to inform their discussions with school leaders.
During the inspection, alongside the information in the IDSR, they look at the evidence they gather about achievement on-site – through lesson visits, discussions with pupils and looking at pupils’ work.
Similar schools comparisons will help inspectors to even better understand the school’s context and achievement data to form a more rounded view of its performance over time.
DfE’s digital platform for schools
Similar schools data (including a list of 50 similar schools) will be included in DfE’s upcoming digital platform. This will support improvement in all schools as part of our universal regional improvement for standards and excellence (RISE) programme.
The digital platform is designed specifically as a service for schools, allowing them to benchmark their performance. As a school-facing product, it will not be publicly accessible. The platform will help schools to understand their strengths, identify areas for improvement and then connect with other schools, helping enable a self-improving system. It will also signpost schools to the resources available to support school improvement.
How the similar school model works
The model is based on the statistical technique of regression analysis. This involves assessing data on a range of factors for their ability to predict a specific outcome. In this case, the outcome is pupil attainment, measured by average score in key stage 2 (KS2) reading and maths and key stage 4 (KS4) Attainment 8 scores.
There are many possible factors that can help explain variations in attainment. We are interested in those that are contextual, rather than those that schools can directly influence, such as teaching, leadership effectiveness and attendance.
The model reduces a long list of potential variables down to the factors that are most strongly associated with variation in attainment between schools, while avoiding duplication.
Most of the data is already available to schools and inspectors in the IDSR. We use whole-school pupil data, not just ‘exam year’ pupils, to ensure that the model identifies similar schools, not just similar exam cohorts.
The model comprises the following variables:
Prior attainment, where available (some pupils do not have data due to the COVID-19 pandemic), for those pupils in the relevant phase:
- the KS4 model uses a KS2 reading and maths combined measure
- the KS2 model uses key stage (KS1) test scores
Disadvantage, as measured by:
- pupil premium eligibility
- IDACI – a scaled, neighbourhood-level measure of income deprivation that affects children
- POLAR4 – a measure that captures progression to higher education, reflecting differences in educational opportunity and aspiration
Pupil cohort information
- pupil numbers
- stability (the percentage of pupils who were admitted to the school at the standard time of admission)
Inclusion
The proportion of pupils with:
-
special educational needs (SEN) support
-
an education, health and care (EHC) plan
-
English as an additional language (EAL)
The model aims for a good quality of matching and produces a list of 50 similar schools for each mainstream primary and secondary school. Individual school data, such as performance data, can then be compared with averages from a group of schools that are similar. However, these schools will not be identical and will not necessarily be grouped closely together on all metrics.
We expect the model to follow an annual update cycle to reflect changes, including:
- data availability (such as the move from KS1 assessments to the reception baseline assessment for KS2 progress)
- potentially changing relationships between attainment and other factors
This will also keep it as relevant as possible.
Further information about the model
Similar schools data will be available to schools through their IDSR from September 2026. Ofsted’s inspection materials have also been updated to include references to the use of similar schools data from September.
Further information on how this data will be used as part of school inspections will be made available, including through Ofsted’s training publications for inspectors.