What is the Baseline Override?
The Baseline Override feature allowed you to change the expected KS2 data for a cohort from official KS2 Scaled Scores to NC Fine Levels. This meant you could use converted NC Fine Levels to calculate headline figures such as Progress 8 (based on 2019 or earlier A8 estimates) and Banding, as well as the Sisra exclusive SPI (Subject Progress Index) measure in cohorts officially awarded Scaled Scores, where estimates mapped to Scaled Scores were not yet available.
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Important: The DfE have since released official A8 and VA Estimates based on Scaled Scores, which means this feature is now obsolete. Therefore, there is no longer any need to follow this guide for any current cohorts awarded Scaled Scores at KS2.
21/22 and 22/23 Leavers should be published with 2022 and 2023 A8/VA Estimates respectively, based on Scaled Scores and so this guide should not be followed for those cohorts. |
1 / Convert Scaled Scores to NC Fine Levels
You will need to convert your students’ Scaled Scores to NC Fine Levels using your own conversion method as we are unable to provide a method due to a lack of official guidance. The most commonly used method can be downloaded from TES here:
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TES: Scaled Score to Fine Level Conversion https://www.tes.com/teaching-resource/scaled-score-to-fine-level-conversion-and-attainment-8-changes-2016-19-12405878 |
The link above allows you to download spreadsheet '1c' where you can input your KS2 scaled scores and these will be converted to an 'equivalent' NC fine level. Note - This document is not produced by Sisra or Juniper.
2 / Opt-in to the Data Collaboration
If you haven’t already opted in to a Data Collaboration event, then you would need to do this via CONFIG. > Data Collaboration. Then click 'Exams' next to the appropriate cohort, scroll down and tick to agree.
We would recommend opting in to the most recent event available.
3 / Upload NC Fine levels
Once you have converted your Scaled Scores to NC Fine Levels you would need to ensure the subject names for these are different to those you have used for your Scaled Score subjects, for example, ‘English Reading Fine’ and ‘Maths Fine’. You can then run these through the Analytics Excel Add-In to prepare them into a 4-column list and save as a CSV (MS DOS) file. Your KS2 fine levels should be uploaded alongside your existing KS2 scaled scores.
DO NOT delete your KS2 Scaled Score subjects!
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Any student with scaled scores in both English Reading and Maths should have separate fine levels for English Reading and Maths uploaded. If you have calculated one overall Fine Level for each student, you can duplicate the subject; nominating one as English Reading and the other as Maths. If you have calculated separate English Reading and Maths Fine Levels, these can be uploaded as separate subjects, and the KS2 prior will be calculated as per DfE NC Fine Levels calculations. |
To upload your baselines into Analytics, go to DATA > KS3/4 & Cohort > KS2/EAP > Uploads, then click ‘Upload Grades File’ and follow until you reach the Confirm Upload Qualification Names page.
The Confirm Upload Qualification Names page is where Analytics will ask you to determine if these are new subjects or not. In this case, select ‘New’ in the dropdowns and click ‘Complete the Upload’, to ensure they do not merge with your existing baseline subjects.
4 / Enable Baseline Override
Once your KS2 Fine levels have been uploaded, you can enable the Baseline Override via KS2/EAP > Data Collaboration. Tick the box next to 'Override expected KS2 Baseline' and click Save.
5 / Complete Baseline Subject Setup
Go to KS2/EAP > Baselines and click Edit. The columns that need to be completed are explained below:
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Grade Type: For the new NC fine level subjects choose 'NC Fine Levels (5dp)'. This grade type is correct even if you have uploaded data to fewer than 5 decimal places.
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Core - Scaled Scores: If not already set up, ensure that English Reading and Maths Scaled Scores are nominated as English Reading and Maths respectively here. This column should be left blank for any NC fine level subjects.
- Override Core - NC Fine Levels: you should nominate your English Reading Fine Level subject as ‘English Reading’ and your Maths Fine Level subject as ‘Maths’.
6 / Publish Reports
- Publish KS2/EAP data (KS2/EAP > Publish)
- Publish Grades (GRADES > Publish Grades).
When publishing grades, you would need to ensure the A8 and VA Estimates selected are compatible with the KS2 data being used. If you choose data from a year which is not compatible, a purple error will be flagged. In the below screenshot, this is flagged because the KS2 Baseline Type is NC Fine Levels, and '2021 Collab - Exams' A8 estimates have been selected, which are calculated using Scaled Scores.
Thanks for reading!