INTRODUCTION

The 14-19 White Paper signalled Ministers' intention to include English and mathematics results in the Achievement and Attainment Tables. It has long been acknowledged that young people are better equipped for learning and more likely to gain employment and succeed in the workplace if they have the appropriate skills in English and maths.

To reflect the importance of these qualifications, from 2006 onwards we will include achievement in English and mathematics in the 5+A*-C GCSE (and equivalent) indicator published in the Tables. The 14-19 Education and Skills Implementation Plan, published in December 2005, made clear that the new indicator, to be introduced in the 2006 Tables, will be the percentage of pupils achieving 5+A*-C GCSEs (and equivalent) including English and maths GCSEs. This indicator will be published alongside the existing 5+A*-C GCSE (and equivalent) indicator at first, although the existing indicator will be phased out by 2008.

To pave the way for this change, we conducted a pilot project in 2005 to test the necessary procedures for calculating this new indicator. In addition we piloted 4 other indicators which also reflect achievements in English and maths and which could also be used in the Achievement and Attainment Tables. We are inviting views on whether any of these additional indicators should also be published in the Tables alongside the main 5+A*-C (and equivalent) including English and maths indicator. Please follow this link to complete the online questionnaire: English and Mathematics Pilot Evaluation Questionnaire