Middle schools were introduced in the UK in the 1970s after careful consideration of the advantages the system could bring to children. The papers and reports on this page set out some of the advantages a middle school system of education can offer.
It is reasonable to ask how education in a middle school system compares to that offered in a more traditional primary and secondary school system. Evidence presented here shows that students in three tier systems consistently achieve above the national average at age 16.
Reorganisation Does Not Raise Standards - Suffolk Evidence Reconsidered
An examination of the evidence from Suffolk County Council’s 2006 decision to close all 40 of its middle schools. An analysis of the county's 2019 KS2 makes it quite clear – the hugely expensive reorganisation has not raised standards. This is the clearest demonstration that middle school reorganisation does not raise achievement and will be important evidence for middle schools who may face reorganisation proposals in the future.
Middle Schools Report Card 2020
A summary of evidence about middle school effectiveness drawing on KS2, KS4, Ofsted and testing with national credibilty
KS2 2019 - Analysis Of Middle School Outcomes
An analysis of the 2019 KS2 results for middle schools which shows that the attainment of middle school pupils was broadly in line with that of all pupils nationally.
Middle Schools Extended Cluster Analysis V3 2019
In an extended version of their earlier report on the progress shown by pupils at middle school GL Assessment include an analysis of the progress made by approximately 1500 pupils who have been tested on entry to middle school and when they left in Year 8. This longitudinal study confirms the conclusion of the earlier report - showing the good progress made by pupils during their four years in their middle schools.
Middle School Cluster Analysis 7-5 2019
A report from GL Assessment drawing on data from over 40 middle schools and over 3,000 pupils to examine the progress made by pupils at their middle schools against national norms. The report suggests that pupils make good progress in both English and Maths during their time at middle school
Managing Effective Transitions In Three Tier Systems - Summary Report
Research into the effectiveness of school transitions in three middle school areas using pupil surveys and individual pupil interviews before and following change of schools.
KS1 To KS2 Value Added - A System Biased Against Junior And Middle Schools
A report that draws on recently published research by FFT Education Datalab to show that current accountability measures of progress and attainment are biased against middle school systems.
Comparing Three Tier Results At GCSE With Other Schools 2016-2018
How do students educated in three-tier systems do compared to those in other schools? Analysis of GCSE data over the last three years show that students in three tier system consistently achieve above the national average.
