The Coasting Schools (England) Regulations 2017

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations define the concept of “coasting” for the purposes of section 60B of the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (c.40) and section 2B of the Academies Act 2010 (c.32) and apply to all maintained schools and Academy schools providing Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 education except those listed in regulation 3.

Regulation 4 provides that a primary school will be a coasting school if it meets the coasting criteria for the most recent three successive school years. The coasting criteria are based on the same school performance measures (i.e. attainment and progress) used to set standards in order to hold schools to account (also referred to as “floor standards” for primary schools). The coasting criteria for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 school years are based on the primary school accountability measures used for those years. The coasting criteria for the 2015/2016 school year and successive school years reflect the new primary school accountability measures applied for the 2015/2016 school year and successive school years.

Regulation 5 provides that a secondary school will be a coasting school if it meets the coasting criteria for the most recent three successive school years. The secondary coasting criteria are likewise based on the same school performance measures used to set the “floor standards” for secondary schools. The secondary coasting standard for the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 school years is based on the secondary school accountability measures used for those years. The coasting criteria for the 2015/2016 school year and successive school years is based on the Progress 8 measure, the new secondary accountability measure applied for the 2015/2016 school year and successive school years. In relation to schools which participated in Progress 8 early opt-in for the 2014/2015 school year, regulation 5(2)(b) provides for that year also to take account of the secondary coasting standard based on the Progress 8 measure.

Regulation 6 confirms that an all-through school providing both Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 4 education will be considered coasting if it meets the coasting criteria in respect of either stage.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on businesses and voluntary sector organisations. The instrument has a minimal impact on the public sector.