Department for children, schools and families
Achievement and attainment tables
School and college (post-16) achievement and attainment tables 2007
Students reported
The tables report the results of 16 to 18-year-old students at the end of advanced level study in the 2006/07 academic year. These students will have completed Key Stage 4 and studied level 3 qualifications before moving to higher education or employment.
In the majority of cases this will be those students at the end of two years of advanced level study (akin to a traditional sixth-form), but may include those students completing in one year or three.
Qualifications reported
The performance indicators published in the post-16 achievement and attainment tables are based on A Level and equivalent level 3 qualifications.
As part of its 14-19 strategy, the Department is committed to reporting a wider range of qualifications in the achievement and attainment tables. 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 colleges 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.
All level 3 qualifications approved under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 have been reported in the tables using Qualification and Curriculum Authority's (QCA) point scoring system. Point scores for tests and qualifications, and an explanation of the QCA point scoring system, can be found here.
Results shown
The tables show the achievements of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds at a school or college studying towards general and applied A Levels, AS examinations and equivalent level 3 qualifications.
The columns show:
- the number of 16, 17 and 18-year-olds who, in 2006/07, were at the end of study towards general and applied 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 average point score per student provides a measure of the average number of A Level equivalent studied and the grades achieved. The more qualifications undertaken by a student and the higher the grades achieved, the higher the average point score per student.
However, the average point score per examination gives an indication of the average A Level grade achieved by students at an institution. The higher the grade, the higher the points score per examination entry. Neither indicator should be considered in isolation.
Extra care should be taken when comparing this year's achievement and attainment with those from 2005 and earlier years as they do not include the wider range of qualifications and are based on a different point scoring system.
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 to 18-year-old student, using the QCA point scoring system as illustrated here, divided by the total number of 16 to 18-year-old students at the end of study towards general and applied A/AS or equivalent level 3 qualifications. For example:
If student A achieves 2 general A Levels at grade B, an applied 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 applied Double Award at grade AB and an applied 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 to 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 to 18-year-old student, divided by the total number of qualification entries.
For this calculation, a general or applied A Level and a BTEC National Award is each equal to one entry, a general/applied A Level Double Award or BTEC National Certificate is equal to two entries, a general or applied AS level is equal to 0.5 of an entry, a Key Skill at level 3 is equal to 0.3 of an entry.
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 Learning and Skills Council, local authority 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 at the foot of each page 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 alongside the LA name. 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.