Foreword by the Secretary of State

The Department for Education is again publishing two sets of tables: secondary school tables, and tables for schools and colleges with students aged 16-18.

As the updated Parent's Charter promised, this year's tables contain even more information. You will find in these tables data on GCE A/AS examination results and on a number of other specified vocational qualifications, including Advanced GNVQs (vocational A levels).

These tables, together with school prospectuses and information which colleges publish, will help young people and their parents make decisions about what and where to study.

Performance tables also serve a wider purpose. I strongly believe that parents, employers and the community as a whole should be able to judge how their local schools and colleges are performing. Regular publication of comparative tables makes a very important contribution to this process.

I hope you will find the tables useful and informative.

Rt Hon Gillian Shephard, MP
Secretary of State for Education