Fischer Family Trust (FFT) Estimate Analyses

Last updated: 12/04/2010 Add to My Bookmarks

FFT Live (Secondary Schools Only)

Fischer Family Trust - Background and Guidance

The Fischer Family Trust, a non-profit making organisation, carries out school and pupil estimate analyses on behalf of the DCSF, LAs and schools using national School Census data and results datasets. It is hoped that these analyses will assist with the setting of targets, complimenting analyses provided by the LA Statistics Team and providing a range of estimates for schools to consider. The FFT analyses are outlined in the factsheets (Primary FFT Factsheet and Secondary FFT Factsheet) or for more information on the Trust and the analyses they produce, please refer to the Fischer Family Trust website under Data Analyses Project (http://www.fischertrust.org/)

The school and pupil level estimates developed by FFT are run by the LA Stats Team and are for the main summary measures in each Key Stage, including the NEW DCSF targets measures. You will note that the analyses provides 4 types of estimates by gender for a particular year using marks as well as levels for increased accuracy and based on progress made by:

A - all pupils nationally based on prior attainment (including marks where available, subject differences, and TA), gender and month of birth
B - pupils in similar schools (as with Type A, but adjusted for the school's context including FSM and geodemographic data)
C - pupils in order to achieve national targets
D - pupils in the 25th percentile schools for value added

As part of the statutory DCSF Key Stage 2, 3 and 4 target setting process it was agreed with CAPH and CASH representatives that FFT attainment estimate analysis at pupil and school level for the relevant years should be sent to Headteachers.  Electronic copies of these analyses and a wider range of estimate years and estimates for different groups of pupils are also available on the Individual School Web Areas.

The FFT estimates should be treated with some caution, here is a useful document to aid the process of Making Best Use of FFT Estimates. Following requests from schools, CAPITA have worked in collaboration with the Fischer Family Trust to produce a series of grade sets, aspects and templates, to allow FFT data to be transferred into the SIMS database via Assessment Manager, please go to this link for details http://www.capitaes.co.uk/ampark/fischer.asp.

For more information on the Trust and the analyses they produce, please refer to the Fischer Family Trust website under Data Analysis Project http://www.fischertrust.org/.

Ben Crowe
Stats Team
October 2008

Back to Top of Page