What results are included?

Introduction

These tables do not cover all the work undertaken in schools and colleges. For example, colleges often provide for a wider range of student needs, including other work-related qualifications, and include adults as well as 16 to 18 year olds among their students. You can find out more about what is on offer in your local area from individual school and college prospectuses, or from the information that colleges publish locally about their work and achievements.

The examination and vocational qualification results in the tables were checked with, or supplied by, the schools in early October 1996. They do not take account of any grades that were changed after that time.

For further details of where to find more information about choosing courses and on the difference between types of qualifications, see More information and Parent's Charter and Charter for Further Education.

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

GCE A level and AS examination results are shown for students in each school or college who were aged 16, 17 and 18 at the start of 1995/96 academic year so long as they were on register at the school or college in January 1996.

These examinations are traditional, general qualifications. AS examinations are equal to half a GCE A level. They are at the same academic standard as an A level, but have half the content. Results in modular examinations are reported even if candidates 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 vocational qualifications, 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

 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)

Advanced vocational qualifications

For specified advanced vocational qualifications, the columns show :

• the number of candidates in their final year of study for an Advanced General National Vocational Qualification (Advanced GNVQ), a BTEC National qualification (Diploma or Certificate), 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 1995/96 academic year.

Advanced GNVQs are broadly equal to two GCE A levels. BTEC National Diplomas and Certificates and the C&G Diploma of Vocational Education at National level are also similar in standard to GCE A levels. These are qualifications which can lead to higher education or employment and further training.

Intermediate vocational qualifications

For the first time this year two new columns record the achievements of 16 to 18 year olds in their final year of study for an Intermediate GNVQ or similar qualification. Intermediate GNVQs are broadly equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades A*-C. The tables 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 1995/96 academic year.

Not all schools and colleges enter students for vocational qualifications.

National average figures

At the top of each table are the national average figures for all schools and colleges in England with 16-18 year old students, including independent schools. You may wish to compare these with the results of individual schools and colleges.

International Baccalaureate

A few schools and colleges offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The tables show:

• the number entered; and


• the percentage achieving the qualifications.