INTRODUCTION

These Achievement and Attainment Tables provide an invaluable source of information for young people and their parents on the achievement and attainment of sixth form students in their local secondary schools and Further Education sector colleges, and how they compare with other schools and colleges in the area and in England as a whole.

Each entry provides information about the achievement and attainment of students over the 2003/2004 and 2004/2005 academic years in General and Vocational A and AS level examinations and in a number of other advanced and intermediate qualifications including Key Skills at Level 3.

Key Skills qualifications are designed to encourage all young people to develop the essential skills of Communication, Application of Number and Information Technology, drawing on evidence from their programme of study. Key Skills at Level 3 have been assigned a point score under the UCAS tariff and are reported alongside A and AS results.

Advanced Extension Awards (AEAs) are also reported. As AEAs do not yet have a point score under the UCAS tariff they are being reported separately from A level results.

Information about other results such as GCSE (and equivalent) qualifications in schools can be found in the separate Secondary School (KS4) Achievement and Attainment Tables.

The information here will help you if you or your child are considering what they should do after compulsory education, but it provides only part of the picture of the work done in schools and colleges. For example, colleges often provide for a wider range of student needs, offering other work-related qualifications such as NVQs, and include adults as well as young people among their students. The Tables should be considered alongside other important sources of information such as Ofsted reports, school prospectuses and School Profiles. Maintained schools must provide parents with prospectuses on request.

Governors' Annual Reports have been replaced by School Profiles which will be available in the spring term. The School Profile has been developed after consultation with schools, local authorities, governors, parents and pupils. It will include sections on the school's performance as well as narrative sections for the school to complete under a range of headings, including recent successes and intended improvements.

School Profiles will be accessible in the spring at www.parentscentre/schoolprofile

Parents may be interested to see the Ofsted report for a school or college. Ofsted school inspection reports can be obtained from Ofsted's website at www.ofsted.gov.uk or direct from the school.

Your local Connexions is also an important source of information and advice for young people considering their post-16 options. Connexions is for all 13-19 year olds in England offering integrated advice, guidance and access to personal development opportunities on any issue of concern. For more information on Connexions and the contact details of your local Connexions Partnership please visit http://www.connexions-direct.com

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