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Best Subjects

DfE Performance Tables

Last refreshed 30 January 2026 16:42
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Best Subjects

DfE Performance Tables

Top 5 subjects ranked by value-added score

Technical Details

Column Name
best_subjects
Data Source
DfE Performance Tables

Coverage by School Phase

How many schools have data available for this field.

Primary
0% 0 / 17910
Secondary
0% 1 / 1263
Secondary with Sixth Form
85% 1732 / 2033
Sixth Form Only
80% 233 / 289
All-through
30% 82 / 269
Special
0% 0 / 2059
Independent
24% 430 / 1724
Good (80%+)
Moderate (50-79%)
Poor (<50%)

This field does not contribute to the performance score calculation.

Item Distribution by School Phase

Most common items found in this list field across schools.

Unique Items
7,239
Avg Items/School
4.2
Max Items
5
Schools with Data
2,477

Secondary with Sixth Form (1732 schools, avg 4.4 items)

{'entries': 17, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'History', 'value_added_score': 0.31}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 15, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Mathematics', 'value_added_score': 0.29}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 12, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Geography', 'value_added_score': 0.38}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 17, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.48}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'History', 'value_added_score': 0.05}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 12, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'Psychology', 'value_added_score': 0.12}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Mathematics (Further)', 'value_added_score': 0.48}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Mathematics (Further)', 'value_added_score': 0.57}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 15, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Computer Studies/Computing', 'value_added_score': 0.28}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 13, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Physical Education/Sports Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.47}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Computer Studies/Computing', 'value_added_score': 0.62}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.18}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 12, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.65}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Geography', 'value_added_score': 0.27}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design (Fine Art)', 'value_added_score': 0.56}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design (Fine Art)', 'value_added_score': 0.55}
3 0.2%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'Business Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.11}
2 0.1%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'History', 'value_added_score': 0.06}
2 0.1%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'Government & Politics', 'value_added_score': 0.21}
2 0.1%
{'entries': 17, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'Sociology', 'value_added_score': 0.21}
2 0.1%

Sixth Form Only (233 schools, avg 4.2 items)

{'entries': 24, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'History', 'value_added_score': 0.19}
2 0.9%
{'entries': 17, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Tourism', 'value_added_score': 0.58}
2 0.9%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'Core Maths Qualifications at Level 3', 'star_rating': 5, 'subject_name': 'Mathematical Studies', 'value_added_score': 1.46}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*', 'star_rating': 5, 'subject_name': 'Computer Appreciation / Introduction', 'value_added_score': 1.13}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 58, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Psychology', 'value_added_score': 0.98}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 14, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Diploma L3 - Band J - PP-D*D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Health Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.86}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 16, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Computer Architecture / Systems', 'value_added_score': 0.86}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Portuguese', 'value_added_score': 0.8}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma at Level 3', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Speech & Drama', 'value_added_score': 0.7}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Applied Sciences', 'value_added_score': 0.66}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Physical Education/Sports Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.55}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 51, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Business Studies:Single', 'value_added_score': 0.5}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Health Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.57}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Spanish', 'value_added_score': 0.6}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 41, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D*', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Applied Sciences', 'value_added_score': 0.53}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 16, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D*', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Computing and IT Advanced Technician', 'value_added_score': 0.48}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 19, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Computer Studies/Computing', 'value_added_score': 0.46}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 25, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Diploma L3 - Band N - PPP-D*D*D*', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Engineering Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.44}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 34, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Spanish', 'value_added_score': 0.98}
1 0.4%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Portuguese', 'value_added_score': 0.95}
1 0.4%

All-through (82 schools, avg 4.0 items)

{'entries': 10, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Religious Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.51}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Media/Film/Tv Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.3}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 11, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'Government & Politics', 'value_added_score': 0.08}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 14, 'qualification_type': 'BTEC National Extended Certificate L3 - Band F - P-D*', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'Sports Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.05}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.06}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 57, 'qualification_type': 'VRQ Level 3', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Finance / Accounting (General)', 'value_added_score': 0.4}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Media/Film/Tv Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.36}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 10, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'History', 'value_added_score': 0.19}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 10, 'qualification_type': 'GCE AS level (All)', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'Mathematics (Further)', 'value_added_score': 0.11}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 15, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'Sociology', 'value_added_score': 0.09}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 14, 'qualification_type': 'OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma at Level 3', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Business Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.82}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 38, 'qualification_type': 'OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate at Level 3', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Multimedia', 'value_added_score': 0.57}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 20, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Psychology', 'value_added_score': 0.41}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 14, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Religious Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.39}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design', 'value_added_score': 0.35}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 13, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design', 'value_added_score': 0.66}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 17, 'qualification_type': 'Extended Project (Diploma)', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Study Skills', 'value_added_score': 0.45}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 23, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Sociology', 'value_added_score': 0.44}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 38, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 2, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.14}
1 1.2%
{'entries': 14, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 1, 'subject_name': 'Mathematics (Further)', 'value_added_score': 0.08}
1 1.2%

Independent (430 schools, avg 4.3 items)

{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Chinese', 'value_added_score': 0.64}
3 0.7%
{'entries': 13, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Psychology', 'value_added_score': 0.3}
3 0.7%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Mathematics (Further)', 'value_added_score': 0.35}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Drama & Theatre Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.84}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Sociology', 'value_added_score': 0.46}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 10, 'qualification_type': 'Extended Project (Diploma)', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Study Skills', 'value_added_score': 0.83}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 14, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Physics', 'value_added_score': 0.79}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 11, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Classical Civilisation', 'value_added_score': 0.46}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Geography', 'value_added_score': 0.59}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 18, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.62}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 11, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Business Studies:Single', 'value_added_score': 0.27}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Classical Civilisation', 'value_added_score': 0.69}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design (Fine Art)', 'value_added_score': 0.86}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 9, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 5, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design (Fine Art)', 'value_added_score': 1.0}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 8, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Physical Education/Sports Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.66}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 4, 'subject_name': 'Physical Education/Sports Studies', 'value_added_score': 0.56}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 7, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'English Literature', 'value_added_score': 0.44}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 22, 'qualification_type': 'Extended Project (Diploma)', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Study Skills', 'value_added_score': 0.44}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 10, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Biology', 'value_added_score': 0.48}
2 0.5%
{'entries': 6, 'qualification_type': 'GCE A level', 'star_rating': 3, 'subject_name': 'Art & Design (Photography)', 'value_added_score': 0.47}
2 0.5%
Percentages show the proportion of schools (with data) that include each item.