AET improves outcomes across key headline measures

Published: 19th October 2023

Phonics up 6% (2022) | KS2 up 6% (2022) | KS4 up 8% (2019) | Reading up 3% (2022) | Progress 8 up +0.08 (2019)

We are delighted to announce that during the academic year of 2022/2023 our schools saw improved outcomes across key headline measures. With the road to our ambitious targets for 2028 well underway, now is the time to reflect on the progress our schools across the network have made in the past year on their journey towards AET490.

AET490 is the name we have given our big aspirations to hit 90% across four key attainment metrics by 2028. These are:

90% of pupils passing KS1 Phonics
90% of KS2 pupils achieving the expected standard in reading, writing and maths
90% of KS4 pupils achieving at least grade 4 in both English and maths GCSE
90% of pupils in KS2 and KS4 are at their chronological reading age

Together, these ambitions embody our aspirations for every one of our pupils at an AET school and our expectations for excellence in all aspects of school life.

Phonics

Our phonics outcomes were particularly strong this year, with 86% of our Key Stage 1 pupils passing phonics tests. These are our best ever phonics results since 2015. On top of this, the average score for year 1 pupils that took the test was 34.2, showing an increase of 1.3 on the previous year (32.9).

Key Stage 2

In KS2, we are delighted to report a substantial increase in the number of pupils across the trust meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths combined. In 2023, 70% of pupils met the standard, demonstrating a six percentage point increase from the previous year. This result puts us a full 11 percentage points ahead of the national average of 59%, which has remained constant.

Our 2023 KS2 outcomes also improved in all subjects when compared to those of 2022, both at the expected and higher standard. Together, these results are a true testament to the excellent work being done by all our primary school staff and firmly position AET above the national average on these headline measures.

Progress 8

Across the trust our school scored on average -0.20 for Progress 8 (2023 provision data) in 2023. This is an increase of +0.02 on our 2022 metric and +0.08 on 2019 and brings AET closer inline with the national average.

GCSE

We are pleased to report that our Key Stage 4 (GCSE) outcomes showed that 60% of our pupils achieved grade 4+ (standard pass) in both English and maths. While this is a way off our 2028 targets, and remains nine percentage points below the national average for previous years, we are confident that our pupils will continue to improve year on year.

Overall, 79% of KS4 leavers from AET schools secured a first or reserve choice destination, enabling them to confidently take their next step into post-16 education.

Moin Khan (Bexleyheath) achieved five grade 9s & one Distinction*.

Catherine Propia (Ryde) received seven grade 9s and three grade 8s.

Helen Balchar (Kingsley) achieved three grade 9s, six grade 8s, one grade 7 and a grade 6.

Sixth Form

This was a great year for AET’s A Level students, 64% of whom went on to receive grades A*-C, bucking the trend for an average drop in outcomes across the country this year and performing 4 percentage points higher than in 2019. In Applied General, 78% of students achieved grades of Distinction* to Merit.

From securing their places at some of the country’s top universities, to industry leading apprenticeships, it is truly exciting to consider all of the pathways our students are taking after leaving AET. In August, 79% of KS5 leavers secured a first or reserve choice destination.

Another special thanks is in order to the teachers, support staff and families for the time and care they’ve put in over the course of two years to support our students in achieving their goals.

Three AET pupils (Bexleyheath, Greenwood & TTC) leave us to begin prestigious City careers via BlackRock Higher Apprenticeships.

Ahmet Ozdemir (Richmond Park Academy, London) goes on to Pembroke College, Oxford to study Computer Science. With only a 6% acceptance rate for applications this is one of the most competitive courses in the country.

Bethany Carter (Clacton) achieved an A* in Sociology, an A in Criminology, and B grades in History, Psychology and the Extended Project Qualification. Bethany is going on to study Politics and Sociology at The University of Warwick.

Ahmet Ozdemir from Richmond Park Academy on Sixth Form results day

Rebecca Boomer-Clark, CEO of the Academies Enterprise Trust, said:

“These truly are some fantastic achievements from our students and we are so proud to see their individual successes. Our students should be rightfully proud of their own drive, determination and achievements. We wish them every success in the future as they continue on through our schools, post 16 or their future careers.

“It is vital that we take every opportunity to celebrate our students for their achievements. At the same time, however, it is important to recognise the limitations of such data when looked at on a national, trust-wide scale.

“At first glance, our results tell us that, compared to 2019, our schools performed very well across all measures and in some, improved many times over the national rate. But, these national figures mask a layer of complexity and variation.

"So this year, instead of fanfare for AET, we want to focus on celebrating the personal achievements of our students, who spend years preparing, months revising and weeks sitting exams, we’re incredibly proud of them.”

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