Harmonising Success Rates

A report commissioned by the information authority in April 2008 entitled ‘Harmonising Ofsted and LSC Qualification Success Reporting’ showed that individual colleges and providers were puzzled by the array of success rates used by government agencies. The report led to the (then) LSC and Ofsted intensifying existing working arrangements and the formation of the Success Rate Data Harmonisation Group, which ran until 2012.

Success Rate Data Harmonisation Group

The group had representatives from a wide range of agencies, such as BIS, DfE, Skills Funding Agency, the EFA, the information authority, the Data Service and Ofsted. Its main aim was to develop and modify success rate reporting with a view that by unifying and simplifying (where possible) the underlying calculation methods processes will become both transparent and rigorous.

After development and evaluation, the formal introduction of a new or changed success rate methodology only proceeded if confirmed through each partners’ own governance arrangements. 

The Success Rate Data Harmonisation Group was originally chaired by the LSC, then Ofsted, and from Spring 2011 the group was chaired by BIS.  View the group's Terms of Reference.

Current information about Success Rates

On the Data Service website you can access up-to-date support information relating to the latest published Success Rate or Minimum Level of Perfromance reports and National Success Rate tables, such as: 

- Methodologies
- Guidance Notes
- FAQs 

See the Success Rates pages on the Data Service website.

To find out more about the work undertaken in this area, please see the Activity and Progress page.

Issues and queries about success rate harmonisation

If you have any queries about the work to harmonise success rates please log your call with the Service Desk on 08702 670001 or e-mail servicedesk@thedataservice.org.uk.