Frequently asked questions
Straightforward answers for families and analysts.
What information can I find here about Stowe School?
This page gives you a clear picture of Stowe School. You’ll find the latest Ofsted grade, the inspection history, pupil numbers, free school meal levels, special educational needs provision, contact details, admissions and governance information, local context, and performance data such as GCSE results, Progress 8, EBacc entry, KS5 destinations (if available), and how the school compares with others nearby.
What do the ranges like “≈ 300” or “40–50%” mean?
They are privacy-friendly previews for free users. Counts are rounded (e.g., ≈300 pupils) and percentages are shown in bands (e.g., 40–50%). Pro members see exact numbers.
What does “provisional” mean on KS4 results?
Provisional results are early figures that can change after checks (late entries, remark outcomes). Final results replace them when the Department for Education publishes the confirmed data.
What is Progress 8 (P8)?
P8 shows how much progress pupils made in this school compared with similar pupils nationally. 0 is average; positive is above average; negative is below. Some years also include a confidence range.
What is Attainment 8 (A8)?
A8 is the average GCSE score across 8 subjects: English and Maths (double-weighted), three EBacc subjects, and three Open subjects.
What is EBacc entry and achievement?
EBacc is a set of core subjects (English, Maths, Science, a language, History or Geography). Entry = pupils who took them. Achievement = pupils who reached the grade threshold (4+ or 5+).
What is the difference between FSM “Ever” and “Current”?
FSM Ever (Ever6) counts pupils who have been eligible for Free School Meals in the last six years. Current FSM is eligibility at the time of the census.
What are “sustained destinations”?
They show what pupils did after Year 11 or Sixth Form and whether they stayed in that destination for a set period the next year (education, employment, apprenticeships).
Why are some values shown as “n/a”?
It can mean the figure was not published, was suppressed for small numbers, does not apply for that phase, or is not yet available for that year.
Glossary: the terms you’ll see on this page
Ofsted grade: The official inspection judgement.
Provisional: Early results that may change.
Progress 8 (P8): Progress score vs similar pupils nationally (0=average).
Attainment 8 (A8): Average GCSE points across 8 subjects.
EBacc entry/achievement: Took EBacc subjects / met grade threshold.
FSM: Free School Meals; FSM Ever (Ever6) = last six years; Current FSM = now.
EAL: English as an Additional Language.
SEN support / EHCP: Special educational needs support or an Education, Health & Care Plan.
Disadvantaged: Pupils counted for pupil premium measures.
Sustained destination: Stayed in education/employment/apprenticeship the next year.
Top-third HE: Higher education providers in the top third by entry requirement.
HTECH: Higher technical qualifications.
10% buckets / ≈: Ranges and rounded numbers shown to free users.
Why go Pro?
Pro unlocks exact numbers (no rounding), school contact details, full subject performance tables, disadvantaged group splits, confidence ranges for Progress 8 (where published), historical series, and one-click exports (CSV, Excel, PDF). It saves time and gives a clearer comparison between schools.
