Overview
This article explains what the Level 3 Value Added (VA) is and explains the students included in the measure.
Value Added measure definition
Level 3 Value Added (VA) is a KS5 performance measure that calculates KS4-KS5 progress in A Level, Academic, Applied General and Tech Level qualifications. It compares students’ progress to that of their peers nationally with similar prior attainment.
Student inclusion
For Level 3 Value Added (VA) scores to be calculated for students within a particular qualification, students must have:
- A student status of either:
- On Roll.
- On Roll (Aged 18).
- Year 12 Only / Year 12 Addback,
- Year 13 Only / Year 13 Only (Aged 18).
- An appropriate KS4 prior attainment.
- A valid grade uploaded for a qualification with national data assigned.
Unofficial Level 3 Value Added (VA) scores can be calculated for all discounted grades, students, and qualifications, regardless of whether they count towards school performance measures. For example, Guest students and unapproved qualifications. These figures, however, will not count towards school performance measures.
Related information
- KS5: How is L3 Value Added (VA) calculated?
- For further information about the Level 3 Value Added (VA) measure, see page 21 onwards of the DfE's 16 to 18 accountability measures: technical guidance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/16-to-19-accountability-headline-measures-technical-guide).
Updated