How to read these tables

Background information

The tables give the following details for each school:

• address and telephone number;
• what type of school it is;
• admissions policy (selective, comprehensive, modern, non-selective or, for special schools, not applicable);
• whether the school is for girls, boys or both; and
• the main age range.

In some cases symbols such as , which are explained in Abbreviations and their meanings, provide further information about particular schools.

GCSE and GNVQ results for 15 year-olds

The first part of the tables shows pupils' overall achievements in GCSEs and certain GNVQs by the time they reach school leaving age. The GNVQs have been combined with GCSEs for the first time this year on the basis of broad equivalencies between the two sets of qualifications as shown below.

Which pupils are included?

Results are shown for all pupils in each school who were aged 15 at the start of the 1996/97 school year. All the results achieved by these pupils in 1997 (and in earlier years if they took GCSEs or GNVQs when they were younger than 15) are included for pupils registered at the school. The results of some pupils who took exams early and have since moved to a different school or college will be shown against the school where they took their examinations.

Some pupils take their exams later, because of illness, because they are from overseas, or for other reasons. The results of these pupils - aged 16 or over at the start of the 1996/97 school year - are not shown in these columns.

GCSEs

There are 8 GCSE pass grades ranging from A* to G. The starred A grade recognises outstanding achievement and was awarded to pupils for the first time in 1994. Pupils may also study for GCSE (Short Courses) in certain subjects. These are of the same academic standard as a full GCSE but have half the content, and are reported in the tables this year for the first time on that basis.

GNVQs

General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs) are designed to develop knowledge, skills and understanding in broad vocational areas. They also include key skills in communication, application of number and information technology. They can lead to employment and training or to further and higher education. They develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for work in broad occupational areas like business, manufacturing and retail & distributive services. GNVQs are mainly aimed at young people in full-time education, but can also be taken by adults part-time.

GNVQ awards have been reported on the basis of the following broad equivalencies:

How the results are reported

The tables show:

• the total number of pupils aged 15 at the start of the 1996/97 school year. This includes pupils who did not attempt any GCSE examinations or GNVQ qualifications;
• the percentage of those 15 year-olds who gained the GCSE/GNVQ equivalent of five or more grades A* to C - the standard normally needed to prepare them for study for GCE A/AS level examinations or the more advanced vocational qualifications;
• the percentage of 15 year-olds who gained the GCSE/GNVQ equivalent of five or more passes at grades A* to G; and
• the percentage of 15 year-olds who gained the GCSE/GNVQ equivalent of one or more passes at grades A* to G (that is, a minimum of one GCSE (Short Course) or Vocational Language Unit award). From this you can tell how far the school helped all its pupils to achieve the standard expected in at least one subject by the time they reached school-leaving age.

Other vocational qualifications for 15 year-olds

The tables also report separately the achievements of pupils in units of approved GNVQs, and full awards or units of approved NVQs, the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education and RSA Initial Awards. The columns show:

• the number of 15 year-olds taking the courses; and
• the percentage of those 15 year olds achieving all the qualifications or units for which they studied in 1996/97.

Not all schools enter pupils for vocational qualifications.

GCSE/GNVQ improvement measures

This year, for the first time, the tables also show each school's GCSE results as published in the three previous performance tables. The bar charts show the percentage of 15 year-olds who achieved:

• 5 or more grades A*-C; and
• 1 or more grades A*-G.

The percentages shown for 1994, 1995 and 1996 are as published in the performance tables concerned and do not take into account any grades that were changed after the date of publication; for example, as the result of late appeals.

GCSE/GNVQ achievements for pupils in Year 11

Schools were invited (but not required) to provide information on the GCSE and GNVQ results for all pupils in Year 11. This is the year group, sometimes known as the "fifth form", in which pupils normally take their GCSEs. Most pupils in Year 11 are aged 15 at the start of the school year, but in some schools there are younger and older pupils in this year.

For schools which provided the information, the columns show:

• the number of pupils in Year 11, in the 1996/97 school year, regardless of their age; and
• the percentage of those pupils who gained five or more GCSEs or the GNVQ equivalent at grades A* to C.

GCE A (Advanced) levels or AS (Advanced Supplementary) equivalents

These examinations are traditional, general qualifications. AS examinations are equal to half a GCE A level. They are of the same academic standard as an A level, but have half the content.

GCE A level and AS examination results are shown for pupils aged 16, 17 and 18 at the start of 1996/97 school year, as long as they were on the register of the school in January 1997. Results in modular examinations are reported even if pupils are continuing their studies to improve their final grade.

For GCE A levels or AS equivalents, the columns show:

• the average point score per examination entry for GCE A level or AS examinations;
• the number of candidates entered for fewer than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent. These students may be taking a GCE A or AS examination earlier than usual, taking a GCE AS examination on the way to an A level in the same subject or taking other qualifications, such as GNVQs, as well as a GCE A or AS examination;
• the average point score per candidate of those entered for fewer than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent;
• the number of candidates entered for two or more GCE A levels or AS equivalent; and
• the average point score per candidate of those taking more than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent.

Average point scores

When students apply to universities each pass grade they have in GCE A or AS examinations scores a certain number of points. The points for each grade are as follows:

Grade		GCE A level points		AS points 	  
A			10				5			
B			 8				4			
C			 6				3			
D			 4				2			
E			 2				1

This system has been used to produce an average point score per examination entry. This gives an average which does not depend on the number of examinations taken by the candidates. The maximum possible point score per entry is 10. For example, this is calculated as follows:

 Student achieves B grade at GCE A level (8 points)
 and B grade at AS (4 points)	 		=  12 points
 Ten students do the same			= 120 points
 Number of examination entries			=  15
                                          (each GCE A level counts as one entry,
                                           and each AS as half an entry)
 Average point score per examination entry  	=   8 points
                                          (120 points in total,
                                           divided by 15 entries)

This system has also been used to produce an average point score per candidate. This gives an average which depends on the number of examinations taken by candidates as well as the grades they achieved. For example, this is calculated as follows:

 Student achieves B grade at GCE A level (8 points)
 and B grade at AS (4 points)			=  12 points 
 Ten students do the same			= 120 points
 Average point score per candidate		=  12 points
                                          (120 points in total,
                                           divided by 10 students)

Specified vocational qualifications for 16 to 18 year-olds

For specified advanced vocational qualifications, the columns show:

• the number of candidates in their final year of study for an Advanced GNVQ, a BTEC National qualification (Certificate or Diploma), or the City and Guilds (C&G) Diploma of Vocational Education at National level; and
• the percentage of candidates achieving these qualifications based on work done in the 1996/1997 academic year.

Advanced GNVQs are broadly equal to two GCE A levels.

For specified intermediate vocational qualifications, the columns show:

• the number of candidates in their final 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 candidates achieving these qualifications based on work done in the 1996/97 academic year.

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

Not all schools enter pupils for vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

A few schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The column shows:

• the number entered; and
• the percentage achieving the qualifications.

Absence record for pupils of compulsory school age

Authorised absence is absence with permission from a teacher or other authorised representative of the school. This includes instances of absence for which a satisfactory explanation has been provided (eg illness).

Unauthorised absence is absence without permission from a teacher or other authorised representative of the school. This includes all unexplained or unjustified absences.

The information in the tables covers day pupils of compulsory school age, that is aged 5 to 16 only. It relates to pupil absences in the 1996/97 school year up to and including Friday 23 May 1997. Boarding pupils are not included.

The first column shows the number of day pupils in this age range. The second and third columns show the percentage of half days missed as a result of:

• authorised; and
• unauthorised absence.

The figures show the percentage of the total teaching time missed by day pupils of compulsory school age.

If we have not received complete information from a school, the words 'No information received' are printed in the relevant columns. In the case of boarding schools with no day pupils, the words 'Not applicable' are printed. In the case of schools which are part-boarding, the published statistics relate only to the school's day pupils and may not represent the levels of absence in the school as a whole.

Not applicable is also shown against sixth form centres and consortia because they provide courses for students who are above the school-leaving age.

School particulars

The final columns provide further information about the schools which parents might find useful. They show:

• the total number of pupils of all ages on the school register on 16 January 1997;
• the number of pupils aged 16 and over. This gives an indication of the size of a school's sixth form.
• the total number of pupils with statements of special educational needs. These statements describe any learning difficulties which pupils have, and specify the extra help or equipment which they need. Around 2% to 3% of school pupils nationally have statements;
• the total number of pupils with special needs, but without statements. These are other pupils registered as having special educational needs but whose schools meet the pupils' needs without a statement.

If a school has a large proportion of pupils with special needs, its examination results may appear lower than expected.

There may be minor inconsistencies in the numbers given for some schools in the various 'pupil numbers' columns. This is because they have been worked out in different ways and serve different purposes.

Local and national averages

The top of each table shows:

• the average figures for all state schools in each local education authority area, including special schools and CTCs; and
• the average figures for all schools in England including independent schools.

You may wish to compare the results of individual schools with these local and national averages.

Special Schools

Children who need more specialised teaching and facilities may go to special schools. If there are any special schools in the area they are listed separately in alphabetical order.

Sixth form centres and consortia

In some areas, perhaps to pool resources and offer a wider range of post-16 courses to students, some schools co-operate together in a group known as a sixth form centre or consortium. The particular approach may vary. For example, all students from schools involved in a consortium might study science at one school and languages at another, or a group of schools might choose to put their resources together so that sixth form teachers and students have a separate building. Where schools are known to be part of a sixth form centre or consortium the symbol will appear in the tables next to the age range of the school. The centre or consortium will also be named and its results shown separately at the end of the tables, together with the names of the participating schools.