FFT Education Datalab
@fftedudatalab.bsky.social
FFT Education Datalab produces independent, cutting-edge research on education policy and practice.
Pinned
GCSE results 2025: The main trends in grades and entries - FFT Education Datalab
Our round-up of everything you need to know about this year's GCSE results.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
Our analysis of GCSE results day 2025 is now out.
🔸 Grades are up very slightly from last year
🔸 The gender gap in grading is closing
🔸 Entries to triple science are down and double up
🔸 Re-take entries are up, but grades remain low
vist.ly/445pr
🔸 Grades are up very slightly from last year
🔸 The gender gap in grading is closing
🔸 Entries to triple science are down and double up
🔸 Re-take entries are up, but grades remain low
vist.ly/445pr
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
Turn data into direction with #FFTAspirePupilTracking and track progress from KS3-5.
📊 Benchmark: FFT’s 2025 national figures, FFT & CAT4 estimates
↔️ Subject attainment & progress
✅ Results, prior attainment & context
Join our #KS5 focused webinar 👇
vist.ly/4q6fc
📊 Benchmark: FFT’s 2025 national figures, FFT & CAT4 estimates
↔️ Subject attainment & progress
✅ Results, prior attainment & context
Join our #KS5 focused webinar 👇
vist.ly/4q6fc
February 3, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Turn data into direction with #FFTAspirePupilTracking and track progress from KS3-5.
📊 Benchmark: FFT’s 2025 national figures, FFT & CAT4 estimates
↔️ Subject attainment & progress
✅ Results, prior attainment & context
Join our #KS5 focused webinar 👇
vist.ly/4q6fc
📊 Benchmark: FFT’s 2025 national figures, FFT & CAT4 estimates
↔️ Subject attainment & progress
✅ Results, prior attainment & context
Join our #KS5 focused webinar 👇
vist.ly/4q6fc
NEW POST: A-level completion rates
We calculate the proportion of A-level students who complete their chosen qualification, and explore how this varies by subject and prior attainment.
vist.ly/4qaj4
We calculate the proportion of A-level students who complete their chosen qualification, and explore how this varies by subject and prior attainment.
vist.ly/4qaj4
A-level completion rates - FFT Education Datalab
We calculate the proportion of A-level students who complete their chosen qualification, and explore how this varies by subject and prior attainment
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
February 4, 2026 at 10:07 AM
NEW POST: A-level completion rates
We calculate the proportion of A-level students who complete their chosen qualification, and explore how this varies by subject and prior attainment.
vist.ly/4qaj4
We calculate the proportion of A-level students who complete their chosen qualification, and explore how this varies by subject and prior attainment.
vist.ly/4qaj4
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
FFT Attendance Tracker is now updated with the latest school and national weekly attendance data up to Friday 30 January 2026.
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4q5s2
#attendancematters #education
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4q5s2
#attendancematters #education
February 3, 2026 at 8:55 AM
FFT Attendance Tracker is now updated with the latest school and national weekly attendance data up to Friday 30 January 2026.
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4q5s2
#attendancematters #education
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4q5s2
#attendancematters #education
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
FFT Attendance Tracker is now updated with the latest school and national weekly attendance data up to Friday 23 January 2026.
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4p7mu
#attendancematters #education
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4p7mu
#attendancematters #education
January 26, 2026 at 3:56 PM
FFT Attendance Tracker is now updated with the latest school and national weekly attendance data up to Friday 23 January 2026.
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4p7mu
#attendancematters #education
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4p7mu
#attendancematters #education
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
Latest blog by @adr-uk.bsky.social on their research fellowships & how our research agenda can support. Karen Powell "...aligning your proposal with these research agendas means your work will address high-priority evidence gaps endorsed by a wide range of stakeholders." More:
How ADR England’s Community Catalysts can help shape your fellowship proposal
If you’re planning to apply for our funding opportunity for ADR UK Research Fellowships, you might be looking for ways to make your proposal impactful. Karen...
buff.ly
January 26, 2026 at 10:38 AM
Latest blog by @adr-uk.bsky.social on their research fellowships & how our research agenda can support. Karen Powell "...aligning your proposal with these research agendas means your work will address high-priority evidence gaps endorsed by a wide range of stakeholders." More:
Interested in applying for a research fellowship using admin datasets, like the National Pupil Database and LEO? Have a look at this blog for some guidance on how to shape your proposal.
vist.ly/4nvpw
vist.ly/4nvpw
How ADR England’s Community Catalysts can help shape your fellowship proposal
If you’re planning to apply for our funding opportunity for ADR UK Research Fellowships, you might be looking for ways to make your proposal impactful. Karen...
www.adruk.org
January 23, 2026 at 10:27 AM
Interested in applying for a research fellowship using admin datasets, like the National Pupil Database and LEO? Have a look at this blog for some guidance on how to shape your proposal.
vist.ly/4nvpw
vist.ly/4nvpw
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
🤓The @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social team of data experts is running two admin training courses in February!
First, we have an online course for those who wish to learn more about the National Pupil Database
Feb 10 and Feb 11 at 9.30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
First, we have an online course for those who wish to learn more about the National Pupil Database
Feb 10 and Feb 11 at 9.30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
CEPEO ADRUK - Introduction to the National Pupil Database
Join us for this online course offering a more detailed intro to the NPD for those wanting maximum insight into its constituent datasets
www.eventbrite.co.uk
January 21, 2026 at 11:44 AM
🤓The @cepeo-ucl.bsky.social team of data experts is running two admin training courses in February!
First, we have an online course for those who wish to learn more about the National Pupil Database
Feb 10 and Feb 11 at 9.30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
First, we have an online course for those who wish to learn more about the National Pupil Database
Feb 10 and Feb 11 at 9.30am GMT
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cepeo-adru...
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
7 year after becoming Professor… it’s my inaugural lecture!
Improving the life chances of disadvantaged young people: how do we break down barriers to opportunity?
Thursday 12 March, 5.15pm
Room G06, Roberts Building
Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE
Book your place here:
bit.ly/life_chances
Improving the life chances of disadvantaged young people: how do we break down barriers to opportunity?
Thursday 12 March, 5.15pm
Room G06, Roberts Building
Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE
Book your place here:
bit.ly/life_chances
January 19, 2026 at 8:29 PM
7 year after becoming Professor… it’s my inaugural lecture!
Improving the life chances of disadvantaged young people: how do we break down barriers to opportunity?
Thursday 12 March, 5.15pm
Room G06, Roberts Building
Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE
Book your place here:
bit.ly/life_chances
Improving the life chances of disadvantaged young people: how do we break down barriers to opportunity?
Thursday 12 March, 5.15pm
Room G06, Roberts Building
Torrington Place, London WC1E 7JE
Book your place here:
bit.ly/life_chances
NEW POST: Pupil absence in Autumn Term 2025/26
A summary of patterns in pupil attendance across Autumn Term this year, including the impact of an unusually early flu season.
vist.ly/4mk44
A summary of patterns in pupil attendance across Autumn Term this year, including the impact of an unusually early flu season.
vist.ly/4mk44
Pupil absence in Autumn Term 2025/26 - FFT Education Datalab
A summary of patterns in pupil attendance across Autumn Term this year, including the impact of an unusually early flu season
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
January 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM
NEW POST: Pupil absence in Autumn Term 2025/26
A summary of patterns in pupil attendance across Autumn Term this year, including the impact of an unusually early flu season.
vist.ly/4mk44
A summary of patterns in pupil attendance across Autumn Term this year, including the impact of an unusually early flu season.
vist.ly/4mk44
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
FFT Regional Attendance Tracker is updated with the latest national & regional attendance. 📊
View the latest data here
👇
vist.ly/4mfd3
#attendance #attendancematters #education
View the latest data here
👇
vist.ly/4mfd3
#attendance #attendancematters #education
January 12, 2026 at 11:36 AM
FFT Regional Attendance Tracker is updated with the latest national & regional attendance. 📊
View the latest data here
👇
vist.ly/4mfd3
#attendance #attendancematters #education
View the latest data here
👇
vist.ly/4mfd3
#attendance #attendancematters #education
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
A new year reminder we're (@smfthinktank.bsky.social and @suttontrust.bsky.social) looking for case studies of successful relationships between schools and early years provision - that can be a nursery inside of a school, or local providers with strong links ⬇️
January 5, 2026 at 11:31 AM
A new year reminder we're (@smfthinktank.bsky.social and @suttontrust.bsky.social) looking for case studies of successful relationships between schools and early years provision - that can be a nursery inside of a school, or local providers with strong links ⬇️
Interested in our research? Sign up to our mailing list to receive blogposts and reports as they come out.
vist.ly/4izwy
vist.ly/4izwy
Interested in our research? Sign up to our mailing list to receive blogposts and reports as they come out.
vist.ly/4izwy
Interested in our research? Sign up to our mailing list to receive blogposts and reports as they come out.
vist.ly/4izwy
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
December 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Interested in our research? Sign up to our mailing list to receive blogposts and reports as they come out.
vist.ly/4izwy
vist.ly/4izwy
📣 UPDATE: The latest KS2 attainment data has now been added to Schools Like Yours.
Our free Schools Like Yours tool is designed to help you benchmark your school against a group of similar schools, where you get to choose how similar is defined.
vist.ly/4i9mj
Our free Schools Like Yours tool is designed to help you benchmark your school against a group of similar schools, where you get to choose how similar is defined.
vist.ly/4i9mj
Schools Like Yours - FFT Education Datalab
Schools Like Yours - FFT Education Datalab
schoolslikeyours.ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
December 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
📣 UPDATE: The latest KS2 attainment data has now been added to Schools Like Yours.
Our free Schools Like Yours tool is designed to help you benchmark your school against a group of similar schools, where you get to choose how similar is defined.
vist.ly/4i9mj
Our free Schools Like Yours tool is designed to help you benchmark your school against a group of similar schools, where you get to choose how similar is defined.
vist.ly/4i9mj
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
Predicted grades match actual results for less than half of KS4 students, but average grades match results ‘quite closely’ across subject cohorts, @fftedudatalab.bsky.social analysis shows
Predicted grades match results for less than half of KS4 students
But average grades match results ‘quite closely’ across subject cohorts as a whole, FFT analysis also shows
www.tes.com
December 10, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Predicted grades match actual results for less than half of KS4 students, but average grades match results ‘quite closely’ across subject cohorts, @fftedudatalab.bsky.social analysis shows
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
Are predicted grades accurate?
This wonderful blog from @fftedudatalab.bsky.social explores the question, and my takehome is that *on average* they might be, but for an individual student it's pretty much guesswork.
Well worth a read.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/pred...
This wonderful blog from @fftedudatalab.bsky.social explores the question, and my takehome is that *on average* they might be, but for an individual student it's pretty much guesswork.
Well worth a read.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/pred...
December 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Are predicted grades accurate?
This wonderful blog from @fftedudatalab.bsky.social explores the question, and my takehome is that *on average* they might be, but for an individual student it's pretty much guesswork.
Well worth a read.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/pred...
This wonderful blog from @fftedudatalab.bsky.social explores the question, and my takehome is that *on average* they might be, but for an individual student it's pretty much guesswork.
Well worth a read.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/pred...
NEW POST: Prediction accuracy at Key Stage 4
Using predicted grades and results submitted by 740 schools, we explore differences between predicted and actual grades, including variations by subject.
vist.ly/4hxx7
Using predicted grades and results submitted by 740 schools, we explore differences between predicted and actual grades, including variations by subject.
vist.ly/4hxx7
Prediction accuracy at Key Stage 4 - FFT Education Datalab
Using predicted grades and results submitted by 740 schools, we explore differences between predicted and actual grades, including variations by subject
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
December 10, 2025 at 10:00 AM
NEW POST: Prediction accuracy at Key Stage 4
Using predicted grades and results submitted by 740 schools, we explore differences between predicted and actual grades, including variations by subject.
vist.ly/4hxx7
Using predicted grades and results submitted by 740 schools, we explore differences between predicted and actual grades, including variations by subject.
vist.ly/4hxx7
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
FFT Attendance Tracker is now updated with the latest school and national weekly attendance data up to Friday 05 December 2025.
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4hspa
#attendancematters #education
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4hspa
#attendancematters #education
December 9, 2025 at 9:04 AM
FFT Attendance Tracker is now updated with the latest school and national weekly attendance data up to Friday 05 December 2025.
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4hspa
#attendancematters #education
View your school's attendance. 🔍
👇
vist.ly/4hspa
#attendancematters #education
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
Finally, this really fascinating look at how one minor wording change really messed up PISA data by John Jerrim at @fftedudatalab.bsky.social.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
Why one word can break your research – and why AI won’t help. A cautionary tale from PISA - FFT Education Datalab
We look at how one small change in wording to just one PISA survey question has big implications for anyone using PISA to understand unexcused absences from school.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
December 6, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Finally, this really fascinating look at how one minor wording change really messed up PISA data by John Jerrim at @fftedudatalab.bsky.social.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
Reposted by FFT Education Datalab
Attainment Through a Contextual Lens 🔍
Our new Contextualised Attainment report in Aspire helps you interpret attainment data with context — providing more meaningful insight.
Explore deeper analysis when national benchmarks aren’t available.
🔗 Read more in our latest blog: vist.ly/4hbmz
Our new Contextualised Attainment report in Aspire helps you interpret attainment data with context — providing more meaningful insight.
Explore deeper analysis when national benchmarks aren’t available.
🔗 Read more in our latest blog: vist.ly/4hbmz
December 5, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Attainment Through a Contextual Lens 🔍
Our new Contextualised Attainment report in Aspire helps you interpret attainment data with context — providing more meaningful insight.
Explore deeper analysis when national benchmarks aren’t available.
🔗 Read more in our latest blog: vist.ly/4hbmz
Our new Contextualised Attainment report in Aspire helps you interpret attainment data with context — providing more meaningful insight.
Explore deeper analysis when national benchmarks aren’t available.
🔗 Read more in our latest blog: vist.ly/4hbmz
Our very own Natasha Plaister is a guest on the latest episode of the They Behave For Me podcast - with hosts @adamboxereducation.bsky.social and @amymayforrester.bsky.social. Tune in for chat about all things Datalab, including attainment gaps, the impact of COVID and KS5 subject choice.
What can educational statistics tell us about the classroom and policy? With Natasha Plaister
open.spotify.com
December 5, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Our very own Natasha Plaister is a guest on the latest episode of the They Behave For Me podcast - with hosts @adamboxereducation.bsky.social and @amymayforrester.bsky.social. Tune in for chat about all things Datalab, including attainment gaps, the impact of COVID and KS5 subject choice.
NEW POST: Exploring the relationship between Year 11 absence and GCSE results
We explore how much of a relationship exists between absence in Year 11 and Key Stage 4 attainment once absence in Year 10 has been accounted for.
vist.ly/4gzuc
We explore how much of a relationship exists between absence in Year 11 and Key Stage 4 attainment once absence in Year 10 has been accounted for.
vist.ly/4gzuc
Exploring the relationship between Year 11 absence and GCSE results - FFT Education Datalab
We explore the how much of a relationship exists between absence in Year 11 and Key Stage 4 attainment once absence in Year 10 has been accounted for.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
December 3, 2025 at 10:03 AM
NEW POST: Exploring the relationship between Year 11 absence and GCSE results
We explore how much of a relationship exists between absence in Year 11 and Key Stage 4 attainment once absence in Year 10 has been accounted for.
vist.ly/4gzuc
We explore how much of a relationship exists between absence in Year 11 and Key Stage 4 attainment once absence in Year 10 has been accounted for.
vist.ly/4gzuc
NEW POST: Why one word can break your research – and why AI won’t help. A cautionary tale from PISA
John Jerrim looks at how one small change in wording has big implications for anyone using PISA to understand unexcused absences from school.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
John Jerrim looks at how one small change in wording has big implications for anyone using PISA to understand unexcused absences from school.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
Why one word can break your research – and why AI won’t help. A cautionary tale from PISA - FFT Education Datalab
We look at how one small change in wording to just one PISA survey question has big implications for anyone using PISA to understand unexcused absences from school.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk
December 2, 2025 at 8:37 AM
NEW POST: Why one word can break your research – and why AI won’t help. A cautionary tale from PISA
John Jerrim looks at how one small change in wording has big implications for anyone using PISA to understand unexcused absences from school.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...
John Jerrim looks at how one small change in wording has big implications for anyone using PISA to understand unexcused absences from school.
ffteducationdatalab.org.uk/2025/12/why-...