Students reported
The Tables report the results of 16-18 year olds students at the end of advanced level study in the 2005/2006 academic year. These pupils will normally be at the end of two years of study.
Qualifications reported
Previously the main performance indicators published in the Post-16 Achievement and Attainment Tables were based solely on A level and AS examinations and Key Skills at advanced level. Achievements in certain other advanced or Level 3 qualifications - e.g. BTECs and the International Baccalaureate Diploma, were included but shown separately.
As part of its 14-19 strategy, the Department is committed to reporting a wider range of qualifications in the Achievement and Attainment Tables. This year other Level 3 qualifications are included in the Tables on the basis of their equivalence with A levels. A qualification's 'equivalence' is quantified by looking at its size and the level of challenge it poses compared to an A level. The purpose of this is to report different types of qualifications on an equitable basis, rather than to make judgements about the value of particular qualifications, and to give schools and college full recognition for their students' level 3 achievement.
It is not yet possible to collect results in graded exams such as music, dance, speech and drama. Until this issue can be fully resolved these qualifications will not be counted in these Tables.
Results shown
The Tables show the achievements of 16, 17 and 18 year olds at a school or college studying towards General and Vocational A levels, AS examinations and equivalent Level 3 qualifications.
The columns show:
- the number of 16, 17 and 18 year olds who, in 2005/2006, were at the end of study towards General and Vocational A/AS or equivalent Level 3 qualifications;
- the average point score per student; and
- the average point score per examination entry.
Both average point score calculations are based on the cumulative achievement of students usually over two years.
The point score system
The average point scores previously published in the Post-16 Tables were based on the UCAS tariff. However, this did not extend to all approved qualifications at Level 3. The Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has therefore developed a scoring system for all Level 3 qualifications approved under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 so they can be included in the performance indicators in the Tables.
The point scoring system developed by QCA is designed for use as a means of measuring institutional performance in the Tables. It is not intended that it should replace national systems used for other purposes, such as the UCAS tariff used to decide student admission to higher education.
Extra care should be taken when comparing this year's Tables with those from previous years that do not include the wider range of qualifications and are based on a different point scoring system.
The following table lists a few of the common qualifications and their scores based on the new QCA point score system. Other approved qualifications at Level 3 and their point scores can be found on the QCA website http://www.openquals.org.uk
| Grade | Size1 | Points | Grade | Size1 | Points | Grade | Size1 | Points |
| General/Vocational A level | General/Vocational AS | Vocational Double Award | ||||||
| A | 1 | 270 | A | 0.5 | 135 | AA | 2 | 540 |
| B | 1 | 240 | B | 0.5 | 120 | AB | 2 | 510 |
| C | 1 | 210 | C | 0.5 | 105 | BB | 2 | 480 |
| D | 1 | 180 | D | 0.5 | 90 | BC | 2 | 450 |
| E | 1 | 150 | E | 0.5 | 75 | CC | 2 | 420 |
| CD | 2 | 390 | ||||||
| DD | 2 | 360 | ||||||
| DE | 2 | 330 | ||||||
| EE | 2 | 300 | ||||||
| BTEC National Award | BTEC National Certificate | BTEC National Diploma | ||||||
| D | 1 | 270 | DD | 2 | 540 | DDD | 3 | 810 |
| M | 1 | 225 | DM | 2 | 480 | DDM | 3 | 757.5 |
| P | 1 | 165 | MM | 2 | 420 | DMM | 3 | 705 |
| MP | 2 | 360 | MMM | 3 | 652.5 | |||
| PP | 2 | 300 | MMP | 3 | 600 | |||
| MPP | 3 | 547.5 | ||||||
| PPP | 3 | 495 | ||||||
| Advanced Free Standing Maths | Advanced Extension Award | Level 3 Key Skill | ||||||
| A | 0.1667 | 45 | D | 0 | 27 | P | 0.3 | 63 |
| B | 0.1667 | 40 | M | 0 | 23 | |||
| C | 0.1667 | 35 | ||||||
| D | 0.1667 | 30 | ||||||
| E | 0.1667 | 25 | ||||||
| International Baccalaureate Diploma | ||||||||
| 45 | 5 | 1380 | ||||||
| 44 | 5 | 1350 | ||||||
| 43 | 5 | 1320 | ||||||
| 42 | 5 | 1290 | ||||||
| 41 | 5 | 1260 | ||||||
| 40 | 5 | 1230 | ||||||
| 39 | 5 | 1200 | ||||||
| 38 | 5 | 1170 | ||||||
| 37 | 5 | 1140 | ||||||
| 36 | 5 | 1110 | ||||||
| 35 | 5 | 1080 | ||||||
| 34 | 5 | 1050 | ||||||
| 33 | 5 | 1020 | ||||||
| 32 | 5 | 990 | ||||||
| 31 | 5 | 960 | ||||||
| 30 | 5 | 930 | ||||||
| 29 | 5 | 900 | ||||||
| 28 | 5 | 870 | ||||||
| 27 | 5 | 840 | ||||||
| 26 | 5 | 810 | ||||||
| 25 | 5 | 780 | ||||||
| 24 | 5 | 750 | ||||||
How the average point score per student is calculated
The average point score per student is calculated as the sum of the points awarded to each 16-18 year old student, using the new QCA point scoring system as illustrated in the above table, divided by the total number of 16-18 year old students at the end of study towards General and Vocational A/AS or equivalent Level 3 qualifications. For example:
If student A achieves 2 General A levels at grade B, a Vocational A level at grade C and a General AS pass at grade D, they would score 780 points (240 + 240 + 210 + 90).
If student B achieves 1 Vocational Double Award at grade AB and a Vocational A level at grade B, and a Key Skill at Level 3, they would score 813 points (510 + 240 + 63).
If student C attempts 1 General A level and receives a grade U but has passed the AS in the same subject with grade B, and achieves a distinction in a BTEC National Award, they would score 390 points (120 + 270).
Average point score per student
( 780 + 813 + 390 ) / 3 = 661 points
(The sum of each student's points) / (The total number of 16-18 year old students)
How the average point score per examination entry is calculated
The average point score per examination entry is calculated as the sum of the points awarded to each 16-18 year old student, divided by the total number of qualification entries. For this calculation, a General or Vocational A level and a BTEC is each equal to one entry, a Vocational A level Double Award is equal to two entries, a General or Vocational AS level is equal to half an entry, a Key Skill at Level 3 is equal to 0.3 of an entry. The Table above lists some of the common qualifications and the qualification entries counted.
Where a student has attempted an A level and failed, but they have been awarded an AS in the same subject, the A level entry is still counted. So student C above, would be treated as having 2 entries and not 1.5.
Using the above example:
Average point score per examination entry
( 780 + 813 + 390) / 3.5 + 3.3 + 2 = 225.3 points (rounded to one decimal place using normal rounding conventions)
(the sum of each student's points) / (the sum of each student's entries)
Local LSC, LA and national averages
Under each LSC 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 LSC. This is shown just above the national average. The national average figures are based on the results of all schools and Further Education sector colleges. Where the LSC is made up of a number of LAs, the LA average is also shown at the top of that LA's data. You may wish to compare the results of individual schools and colleges with the published local LSC, LA and national averages.
Special schools
Students 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 Post-16 Achievement and Attainment 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 co-operate together 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.
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