What results are included

Introduction

These tables do not cover all of the work undertaken in schools and colleges. For example, colleges often provide for a wide range of student needs, including other work-related qualifications, and include other adults as well as 16 to 18 year-olds among their students. You can find more information about what is on offer in your local area from individual school and college prospectuses or from the information that colleges publish about their work and achievements. For further details of where to find more information about choosing courses and on the difference between types of qualifications see Parent's Charter and other information.

GCSEs

The results of some pupils who took exams early will be shown against the school where they took their examinations if they have since moved to a different school or college.

Some pupils take their exams later, because of illness or other reasons. The results of these pupils - aged 16 or over at the start of the 1993/94 school year - are not shown.

The tables show what each school has helped its pupils to achieve by the time they reach the school-leaving age.

There are 8 GCSE pass grades ranging from A* to G. The starred A recognises outstanding achievement and was awarded to pupils for the first time this year.

The columns show:

• the number of pupils aged 15 at the start of the 1993/94 school year;
• the percentage of those 15 year-olds gaining five or more GCSEs at 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 gaining five or more passes at grades A* to G;
• the percentage of 15 year-olds gaining one or more passes at A* to G. From this you can tell how far the school is helping all its pupils to achieve the standard expected in at least one subject by the time they reach school-leaving age.

Vocational qualifications for 15 year-olds

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

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

• the number of candidates entered for fewer than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent;
• the total average point score 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, or may be taking other examinations, such as vocational qualifications, as well as a GCE A or AS examination;
• the number of candidates entered for two or more GCE A levels or the AS equivalent. These courses will usually be the students' main studies;
• the average point score of candidates taking more than two GCE A levels or the AS equivalent;
• the average point score per examination entry for GCE A level or AS examination, however many GCE A levels or AS examinations were taken by these candidates.

Average point scores

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 candidate. 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)

This system has also been used to produce an average point score per examination entry. 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=8 points
         examination entry(120 points in total,
         divided by 15 entries)

16 to 18 year-olds studying towards specified advanced vocational qualifications

For specified advanced vocational qualifications, the tables show:

• the number of candidates in their final year of study for an Advanced General National Vocational Qualification (Advanced GNVQ), a BTEC 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.
  Advanced GNVQs are broadly equal to two GCE A levels, BTEC National Diplomas and Certificates and the C&G Diploma at National level are also similar in standard to GCE A levels. These are qualifications which can lead to higher education or employment. The tables give the number of 16 to 18 year-olds in the final year of study for these qualifications in 1993/94, and the percentage of those students who gained the qualifications. Not all schools enter students for vocational qualifications.
• International Baccalaureate
A few schools offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. The results show:
• the number entered; and
• the percentage achieving the qualifications.

Absence record for pupils of compulsory school age

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 pupils of compulsory school age, that is aged 5 to 16 only, and relates to pupil absences in the 1993/94 school year up to and including 27 May 1994. The first column shows the number of 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 (that is, the percentage of the total teaching time available to all pupils of this age that was missed).

If we have not received complete information from a school, NIR appears in the relevant columns to indicate no information received. In the case of boarding schools with no day pupils, NA appears in the relevant columns to indicate not applicable. NA will also be shown against sixth form centres and consortia because they provide courses for students who are above the school leaving age.

Lesson time

If we have not received complete information from a school, NIR is included in the relevant columns to indicate this. Because sixth form centres and consortia provide courses for students who are above the school leaving-age, NA appears in the relevant column.

Averages

• 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.