Primary

Latest data for the academic year to 2024 from the DFE show that in Primary*:

• At primary, 85% of pupils at free schools meet the required standard in the phonics screening check compared to 81% of pupils at mainstream state primary schools.

• The average attainment score in the multiplication tables check was 21.6 for pupils at free schools, compared to an average of 20.7 in mainstream state primary schools.

• 68% of pupils at free schools meet the expected standard in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2 compared to 62% of pupils at mainstream state schools.

*In primary the comparison is between mainstream free schools and all state funded mainstream schools – the DfE data does not breakdown the special school data into maintained, academy or free school.

Secondary

Latest data for the academic year to 2024 from the DFE show that in Secondary*:

• At secondary, free schools have an average Progress 8 score of 0.24 compared to an average for all mainstream state schools of 0.01.

• 29% of A levels taken by pupils in free schools achieved a grade A or A* compared to 26.2% studied by pupils in all state funded schools.

* In secondary the comparison is mainstream free schools and where relevant 16-19 free schools, not including UTCs or studio schools – the DfE data does not breakdown the special school data into maintained, academy or free school.