End of Year Reports to Parents/Carers: What You Need to Know, and What to Include by Lucy Coy

Updated to reflect DfE guidance published May 2024

As the summer term draws to a close, schools across England are preparing end-of-year reports for parents and carers. The Department for Education (DfE) has issued updated statutory guidance on what schools are required to report, along with timelines and expectations.

This summary outlines the key legal requirements and offers additional suggestions for how to make your end-of-year reports more meaningful, celebratory, and engaging for families.

You can view the full guidance from the DfE here:

You can read the full document from the DfE here (recommended).

What Schools Must Do

According to the DfE:

All maintained schools must provide a written report to parents at the end of each summer term that outlines their child’s progress for the academic year.
Schools must share exam results, qualifications, and credits as soon as they are available, and within 15 school days of receiving them.

For pupils no longer of compulsory school age and due to leave or who have already left:

You are not required to issue a full annual report.
However, you must provide a report detailing the pupil’s progress and achievements against the curriculum, issued directly to the pupil by 30 September of the year they leave.

What Must Be Included in the Report

For all pupils:

A summary of general progress
Commentary on strengths and areas for development
The pupil’s attendance record
Details on how to arrange a follow-up conversation with the teacher or school

For pupils in Years 1–6:

National Curriculum assessment outcomes (statutory or teacher assessed)
Comparative information showing how their results compare with peers in school and nationally

For pupils at Key Stage 4:

GCSE results and other formal qualifications, including grades and certification where applicable

For eligible pupils:

Consider including a brief explanation of how additional funding (e.g. Pupil Premium) has been used to support their progress

What You Might Choose to Include

While statutory content ensures compliance, there’s an opportunity to personalise the report and make it more memorable for families. Here are optional additions that many schools find valuable:

Positive anecdotes: Highlight a unique moment or strength for each pupil—something they can remember fondly in years to come.
Celebration of progress: Frame the report as a story of how the pupil has grown, no matter their starting point.
Parent/carer engagement: Invite families to share feedback or reflect on the year:
"We’d love to hear your thoughts on your child’s learning this year."
Mindset and approach: Praise pupils for their curiosity, resilience, or collaborative spirit—not just academic outcomes.
Specific support/intervention details: Mention key learning interventions and how the pupil has progressed.
Summer learning suggestion (optional): A short reading list or activity idea can help maintain momentum over the break.
One achievable target (optional): Written in collaboration with the pupil and parents, this small next step can help maintain focus into the new academic year.

Final Thought

End-of-year reports are more than a compliance task—they’re an opportunity to affirm progress, strengthen the school-home partnership, and help pupils see their journey with pride. By blending statutory content with thoughtful, personalised insights, you can ensure each report is a meaningful reflection of the child’s year.

End of Year Reports to Parents/Carers: What You Need to Know, and What to Include

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