Reporting at the end of Key Stage 4
Since 2005, the achievement and attainment tables have reported on all students at the end of their Key Stage 4 programme of study instead of achievements of only those students aged 15 (i.e. aged 15 by 31 August 2006) to allow for different rates of learning. In most schools this will be the students in Year 11 classes.
Although most students are aged 15 at the start of the school year, in some schools there are younger and older students in this year group, as different students progress at different rates.
All performance data published in the tables are based on the achievements of students at the end of Key Stage 4.
However, because data on Key Stage 4 student performance has only been collected since 2005, the bar charts showing results over the past four years are based on the achievements of students on roll who were aged 15 at the start of the school year.
Which qualifications are reported?
All qualifications have value in their own right as part of a fully-rounded educational experience and as a pathway towards further learning and employment.
By recognising all approved qualifications, not just GCSEs, we ensure that schools receive full recognition of their efforts to broaden the curriculum opportunities available to their students in the 14-19 phase of education.
These tables report achievements in all qualifications approved for students of compulsory school age: Entry Level qualifications; GCSEs; Level 2 Vocationally Related Qualifications; NVQs; Key Skills and Basic Skills.
AS levels and Advanced Free Standing Maths qualifications taken early will also be counted.
Qualifications that are not accredited by the Qualification and Curriculum Authority (QCA) or approved by the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families for school age use (e.g. International GCSEs) are not reported in the achievement and attainment tables.
Counting a wider range of qualifications
Prior to 2004, the tables only counted GCSEs and GNVQs in the performance indicators. In order to report a wider range of qualifications, QCA assigned points to all qualifications approved for use pre-16 on a scale equivalent to GCSEs.
The point scoring system developed by QCA is designed for use as a means of measuring school performance. It allows the reporting of different types of qualifications at an equitable basis. It is not designed to allow judgements to be made about the value of different qualifications.
QCA have assigned each qualification a threshold contribution figure expressed as a percentage as well as a point score. Examples of qualifications and their threshold contribution and point's allocation can be found in the 'Point scores for tests and examinations' document available from this website.