How to read these tables?

School or college particulars

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;
• if a school is a designated arts, language , sports or technology college under the specialist schools programme;
• 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 total number of students aged 16-18 at the start of the 1998/1999 academic year who were registered at the school or college in January 1999, regardless of what they were studying.

For more detailed information please see Abbreviations and their meanings.

Which students are reported on

The tables report the results achieved in the 1998/1999 academic year by the 16-18 year old students who were studying towards GCE A level or AS examinations, an Advanced GNVQ or one of the other specified qualifications included. They do not report the achievements of 16-18 year olds 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

A level and AS examinations are traditional, general qualifications. AS examinations are at the same academic standard as an A level, but have half the content and are equal to half an A level. Results in modular A levels are included, even if students subsequently decline results in favour of continuing their studies.

For A levels or AS equivalents, the columns show:

• the number of students entered for fewer than two A levels or the AS equivalent in the 1998/1999 academic year. These students may have been taking an A level or AS examination earlier than usual, or may have been taking other qualifications, such as an Advanced GNVQ, as well as an A level or AS examination;
• the average point score per student entered for fewer than two A levels or the AS equivalent;
• the number of students entered for two or more A levels or the AS equivalent in the 1998/1999 academic year;
• the average point score per student entered for two or more 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 A level or AS examinations scores a certain number of points. The points for each grade are as follows:

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

Where students fail to achieve a pass grade, they score no points. This system has been used to calculate an average point score per student, which depends on the number of examinations taken by individual students 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
10 students do the same 			 = 120 points
Average point score per student		         = 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 individual students. 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
10 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 divided by 15 entries)

Advanced GNVQs

Advanced GNVQs are work-related qualifications which are broadly comparable in standard to two A levels and can also lead to an offer of a place in higher education or employment.

For Advanced GNVQs, the columns show:

• the number of students who were at the end of their second year of study towards an Advanced GNVQ in the 1998/1999 academic year; and
• the average point score per student.

How the average point score is calculated

For the purposes of the tables, the Advanced GNVQ pass grade achieved by students at the end of two years of study scores a certain number of points. The points for each grade are as follows:

   Advanced GNVQ grade        points
   Distinction			18 
   Merit		        12
   Pass				 6

Students who do not achieve a pass grade by the end of two years of study score no points. Students who achieve a pass grade in less than two years are included. Those who leave before two years of study without completing the course are not.

This system has been used to calculate an average point score per student. 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 student	 			 = 12 points 
                                                         (120 points in total, divided by 10 students)

Combined GCE A level, AS and Advanced GNVQ results

The tables also show students' combined achievements in A levels, AS examinations and Advanced GNVQs.

The columns show:

• the number of students entered for two or more A levels or the AS or Advanced GNVQ equivalent in the 1998/1999 academic year;
• the average point score of those students; and
• the average point score per examination entry of all students entered for A levels, AS examinations and Advanced GNVQs.

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

Improvement Measure

The average point scores per student entered for two or more A levels or the AS equivalent from previous years are shown in the tables. From this you can see how achievements have changed over the past three years compared to this year.

Other Vocational Qualifications included

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

• number of students who, in the 1998/1999 academic year, were at the end of their second year of study for a BTEC National qualification (Certificate or Diploma), or the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at National level; and
• the percentage of students who achieved these qualifications.

BTEC National Diplomas and Certificates and the City and Guilds Diploma of Vocational Education at National level are similar in standard to 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 students who, in the 1998/1999 academic year, were at the end of their first 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 students who achieved these qualifications.

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

Not all schools and colleges enter students for vocational qualifications.

International Baccalaureate

A few schools and colleges offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma. The IB Diploma is a broad based qualification at A level standard which can lead to higher education.

The column shows the:

• number of students entered for an IB Diploma in the 1998/1999 academic year; and
• percentage achieving the qualification.

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 in these tables 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.