School and College (Post 16) Performance Tables 2002

HOW TO READ THESE TABLES

The tables give the following details for each school and college:

• the address and telephone number;
• what type of school it is or whether it is a college;
• if a school is a designated arts, language, sports or technology college under the specialist schools programme;
• the admissions policy for schools (selective, comprehensive, modern, non-selective);
• whether the school or college is mainly for girls, boys or both;
• the main age range of the school or college; and
• the total number of students aged 16, 17 and 18 at the start of the 2001/2002 academic year that were registered at the school or college in January 2002, regardless of what they were studying.

The first part of the tables shows the combined achievements of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds at a school or college studying towards General (GCE) and/or Vocational (VCE) A levels and Advanced Subsidiary (AS) qualifications. Following recent reforms, the majority of GCE A level students study towards AS qualifications in the first year before progressing to full A level qualification in the following year, though some may undertake additional AS study in their 2nd year. The results achieved in both most recent academic years (2000/2001 and 2001/2002) are included here. However, in cases where a student achieved an AS pass and an A level pass in the same subject, only the A level pass is normally included.

The columns show:

• the number of 16, 17 and 18 year olds who, in 2001/2002, completed two years of advanced level study and entered for at least one A level or VCE A level Double Award;
• the average point score per student;
• the average point score per examination entry.

Both average point score calculations have been based on the cumulative achievement of students over two years (2000/2001 and 2001/2002).

The point score system

When students apply for a place in higher education, each pass grade they obtain in certain qualifications scores a certain number of points. The tables use a point score system based on the tariff used by UCAS. It is broken down as follows:

The point score system has been used to calculate an average point score per student, which depends on the number of qualifications taken by individual students as well as the grades they achieved, as shown in the example below.

If a student achieves two GCE A levels at grade B, a VCE A level at grade C and a GCE AS pass at grade D, they would score 310 points (100 + 100 + 80 +30). If 15 students achieved these results they would score 4650 points altogether.

If another student achieves one VCE Double Award at grade AB and a VCE A level at grade A, they would score 340 points (220 + 120). If 15 students achieved these results they would score 5100 points altogether.

The point score system has also been used to produce an average point score per examination entry, which does not depend on the number of examinations taken by individual students. For this calculation an A level is equal to one entry, a VCE A level Double Award is equal to two entries and an AS qualification is equal to half an entry. Using the above example:

Other vocational qualifications included

For the other advanced vocational qualifications reported, the columns show:

• the number of 16-18-year-olds who, in the 2001/2002 academic year, were at the end of their second year of study for a BTEC National qualification (Certificate or Diploma), or the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at National level; and
• the percentage of students who achieved these qualifications.

BTEC National Diplomas and Certificates and the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at National level are similar in standard to A levels and are qualifications that can lead to an offer of a place in higher education or employment.

For intermediate vocational qualifications, the columns show:

• the number of 16-18-year-olds who, in the 2001/2002 academic year, were at the end of their first year of study for an Intermediate GNVQ, a BTEC First qualification (Diploma or Certificate) or a City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at Intermediate level; and
• the percentage of students who achieved these qualifications.

Intermediate GNVQs are broadly equivalent to four GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Not all schools and colleges enter students for these vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

A few schools and colleges offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The IB Diploma is a broad-based qualification at A level standard, which can lead to higher education.

The final column shows:

• the number of 16-18-year-olds entered for an IB Diploma in the 2001/2002 academic year; and
• the percentage achieving the qualification.

Local and national averages

Under each LEA area heading, there are local average figures based on the results of all Further Education sector colleges and state schools in the area covered by the LEA. The foot of each page shows national average figures based on the results of all schools and Further Education sector colleges. You may wish to compare the results of individual schools and colleges with these local and national averages.

Special schools

Children who need more specialised teaching and facilities may go to special schools. Special schools with sixth-form students may choose to be included in the school and college performance tables.

Sixth form centres and consortia

In some areas, to pool resources and offer a wider range of post-16 courses to students, schools and colleges cooperate in a group known as a sixth form centre or consortium. Where schools and colleges are known to be part of a sixth form centre or consortium, a symbol will appear in these tables next to the age range of the school or college. The centre or consortium will also be named and its results shown separately towards the end of the tables, together with the names of the participating schools and colleges.