Progress 8 tracks how much progress pupils make between the end of primary school (Key Stage 2) and the end of secondary school (Key Stage 4) when they sit their GCSEs.
The score is calculated based on results in eight key subjects.
Introduced in 2016, Progress 8 is designed to give a fairer picture of school performance by focusing on student progress rather than just raw exam results.
- A score of 0 means students made average progress compared to pupils with similar starting points nationally.
- A score above 0 means students made better-than-average progress.
- A score of +0.5 or higher is considered well above average.
- A score below 0 indicates less progress than average, but this doesn’t mean pupils didn’t progress - just that progress was lower than expected based on prior attainment.
It's also important to note that schools with slightly negative scores can still be classed as "average" if their confidence intervals span above and below zero.
These are the best-performing secondary schools in the county, according to the most recent Progress 8 data:
5. Lancaster Girls' Grammar School
Regent Street, Lancaster, LA1 1SF | Lancaster Girls' Grammar School achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.69 at end of key stage 4 in 2024 which is 'well above average'. | Google
6. Corpus Christi Catholic High School
St Vincents Road, Fulwood, Preston, PR2 8QY | Corpus Christi Catholic High School achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.67 at end of key stage 4 in 2024 which is 'well above average'. | Google
7. Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy Type of school
Ashton Road, Lancaster, LA1 4RS | Ripley St Thomas Church of England Academy achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.6 at end of key stage 4 in 2024 which is 'well above average'. | Google
8. Lancaster Royal Grammar School
East Road, Lancaster, LA1 3EF | Lancaster Royal Grammar School achieved a Progress 8 score of 0.59 at end of key stage 4 in 2024 which is 'well above average'. | Google