What is Attainment 8?
Attainment 8 measures a pupil's average achievement across eight GCSE subjects, including English and maths. It describes results across a cohort — it does not tell you whether a school is right for your child.
How it is calculated
Attainment 8 averages grades across eight subjects in defined groups, with English and maths double-weighted. A school's figure is the average across its pupils.
Attainment 8 vs Progress 8
Attainment 8 reflects results; Progress 8 reflects how much progress pupils make from their starting points. Reading both together gives a fuller picture than either alone.
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Questions families ask
What is Attainment 8?
Attainment 8 measures a pupil's average achievement across eight GCSE subjects, including English and maths. It describes results across a cohort — it does not tell you whether a school is right for your child.
Is a higher Attainment 8 always better?
A higher figure reflects stronger average results, but it is influenced by pupil intake. Read it alongside Progress 8, which accounts for starting points.
Where can I find a school's Attainment 8?
It is published in the Department for Education's school performance data, summarised on each school's Fammove page.
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Keep researching
Fammove educates, it does not recommend. We explain how families research schools using official data and anonymised community insights — this is information, not rankings or advice. We never fabricate statistics; always check the official source linked from each school.