Share & Compare: Data Collaboration Service
In this article:
- S&C 2025 Update
- Introduction
- Registration
- Data Upload Window
- Find out more
1. S&C 2025 Update
We will not be running the Share & Compare (S&C) exercise in 2025. Due to the unique circumstances surrounding the Class of 2025 (current Year 11), who did not sit KS2 SATs in Year 6 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the baseline data required to generate reliable Attainment 8 (A8) and Progress 8 (P8) estimates is inconsistent.
Schools have used a variety of alternative tests and methodologies to establish KS2 baselines, resulting in incompatible data sets. Any estimates derived from such mixed data would lack the reliability necessary for effective comparison or intervention.
Furthermore, the Department for Education has confirmed that 2025 performance tables will not include Progress 8 (see DfE Guidance – p.11)
Using S&C 2025 estimates for interventions could therefore be misleading and risk targeting the wrong pupils, classes, groups or subjects. We strongly recommend exploring alternative progress and attainment methods which are discussed in this recorded webinar.
We are also running live webinars on 'Analysing Results' for KS4 on Monday 7th July and Tuesday 19th August. You can sign up to these, and the other webinars which we are running, at this link https://www.4matrix.com/events
That said, we understand some schools may still wish to analyse P8 data. If so, and if the limitations are clearly understood, this can still be informative. For schools working with the 2025 or 2026 cohorts, we recommend using the DfE’s validated 2024 estimates. These use a consistent and fully documented methodology.
2. Introduction
Share & Compare is the annual 4Matrix data collaboration service. Schools can send their anonymised exam results data to us via the 4Matrix platform, and once we have received a significant number of submissions, 4Matrix issue a provisional set of Attainment 8 Targets. Usually, the first set of comparative data is published by us on or the day after GCSE results day.
The final set of shared data for 2024 was based on:
- Schools: 679
- Pupils: 120,429
- Results: 1,075,585
In 2023, the final set of 4Matrix Share & Compare data from almost 700 schools included Attainment 8 estimates which were, on average, within 1.4% of the official DfE figures.
3. Registration
Registration is closed.
4. Data Upload Window
Share & Compare is now closed for 2024 results data, which means schools can no longer submit their data to us or download the comparative data.
In summer 2024, S&C opened for uploads at 09:30 on Thursday 22nd August and closed in late November when the DfE issued the provisional national data.
5. Find out more
As per previous years, you must upload your own school's data to access the comparative data.
For more information, including mini-guides for using the S&C tools, please visit https://www.4matrix.com/share
Article revised: 12/06/2025