How to read these tables?

Background information

The tables give the following details for each school and college:

• the address and telephone number;
• what type of school it is or whether it is a college;
• the admissions policy for schools (selective, comprehensive, modern, non-selective);
• whether the school or college is mainly for girls, boys or both;
• the main age range of the school or college; and
• the number of students who were aged 16-18 at the start of the 1997/98 academic year and registered at the school or college in January 1998.

For more detailed information please see Abbreviations and their meanings.

Which students are reported on

The tables report the results of the 16-18 year old students who, during the academic year, were entered for GCE A level or AS examinations, or were in their final year of study towards an Advanced GNVQ or one of the other vocational qualifications included. They do not report the achievements of 16-18 year old students who were studying towards other work-related qualifications, such as NVQs, or who were following recreational courses in colleges.

GCE A level and AS examinations

The first part of the tables shows students' achievements in GCE A level and AS examinations. These are traditional, general qualifications. AS examinations are at the same academic standard as a GCE A level, but have half the content and are equal to half a GCE A level. Results in modular examinations are included, even if students subsequently decline those results in favour of continuing their studies.

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

• the number of candidates entered for fewer than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent. These students may be taking a GCE A level or AS examination earlier than usual, or may be taking other qualifications, such as an Advanced GNVQ, as well as a GCE A level or AS examination;
• the average point score per candidate 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 the AS equivalent;
• the average point score per candidate entered for more than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent; and
• the average point score per examination entry.

How the average point scores are calculated

When students apply for a place in higher education, 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 calculate an average point score per candidate, which depends on the number of examinations taken by candidates as well as the grades they achieved. For example:

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

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

  a student achieves B grade at GCE A level (8 points)
  and B grade at AS (4 points)                 =  12 in total 
  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)

Advanced GNVQs

Advanced GNVQs are work-related qualifications which are broadly comparable in standard to two GCE A levels and can also lead to an offer of a place in higher education or employment. The tables report, for the first time this year, Advanced GNVQ results on a point score basis.

For Advanced GNVQs, the columns show:

• the number of candidates in their final year of study towards an Advanced GNVQ; and
• the average point score per candidate.

How the average point score is calculated

For the purposes of these tables the points allocated to Advanced GNVQ awards at Distinction, Merit and Pass are based on their broad equivalence with GCE A levels at grades A - E.

The points for each Advanced GNVQ grade are as follows:

       Advanced GNVQ grade           points
         Distinction                   18
         Merit                         12
         Pass                           6

This system has been used to calculate an average point score per candidate. For example:

  a student achieves a Distinction at Advanced GNVQ       = 18 points
  5 students do the same                                  = 90 points
  a student achieves a Pass at Advanced GNVQ              =  6 points
  5 students do the same                                  = 30 points
  Average point score per candidate                       = 12 points 
                         (120 points in total, divided by 10 students)

Combined GCE A level, AS and Advanced GNVQ results

The next part of the tables show students' combined achievements in GCE A levels, AS examinations and Advanced GNVQs.

The columns show:

• the number of candidates entered for two or more GCE A levels or the AS or Advanced GNVQ equivalent;
• the average point score of those candidates; and
• the average point score per examination entry of all candidates entered for GCE A levels, AS examinations and Advanced GNVQs.

The average point scores are calculated in the same way as those for the separated GCE A level and Advanced GNVQ results. The average point score per candidate includes the results of students entered for any combination of GCE A levels, AS examinations or Advanced GNVQs equivalent to two or more GCE A levels. For the purposes of calculating the average point score per examination entry, a GCE A level counts as one entry, an AS as half an entry and an Advanced GNVQ as two entries.

Improvement Measure

This year the tables show, also for the first time, each school and college's GCE A/AS results from previous years. The average point score per candidate entered for two or more GCE A levels or the AS equivalent shows how achievements have changed over the past three years.

Other Vocational Qualifications included

For the other advanced vocational qualifications reported on, the columns show the :

• number of 16-18 year olds in their final year of study for a BTEC National qualification (Certificate or Diploma), or the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at National level; and
• percentage of candidates achieving these qualifications based on work done in the 1997/98 academic year.

BTEC National Diplomas and Certificates and the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at National level are similar in standard to GCE A levels and are qualifications which can lead to an offer of a place in higher education or employment.

For intermediate vocational qualifications, the columns show the :

• number of 16-18 year olds 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
• percentage of candidates achieving these qualifications based on work done in the 1997/98 academic year.

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

Not all schools or colleges enter students for vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

A few schools and colleges offer the IB Diploma.

The column shows the:

• number entered during the 1997/98 academic year; and
• percentage achieving the qualifications.

Local and national averages

At the top of each page there are local and England average figures. Local average figures are based on the results of all Further Education sector colleges and state schools in the area covered by the LEA. England average figures are based on the results of all schools and Further Education sector colleges. You may wish to compare the results of individual schools and colleges with these local and national averages.

Special schools

Children who need more specialised teaching and facilities may go to special schools. Special schools with students aged 16-18 may choose to be included in the School and College Performance Tables.

Sixth form centres and consortia

In some areas, to pool resources and offer a wider range of post-16 courses to students, schools co-operate together in a group known as a sixth form centre or consortium. Where schools are known to be part of a sixth form centre or consortium, a symbol will appear next to the age range of the school. The centre or consortium will also be named and its results shown separately, together with the names of the participating schools.