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ATTAINMENT GAP FOR BLACK PUPILS IS CLOSING – ADONIS
27 November 2007
Black Caribbean pupils’ rate of improvement almost twice the national average since 2003
Black pupils have made the biggest improvement in this year’s GCSE results according to figures released today.Schools Minister Andrew Adonis welcomed the figures, saying that the long and short term trend shows that the gap between minority and ethnic groups and the national average is closing. The biggest improvers are Black African and Black Caribbean pupils with the proportion getting five good GCSEs jumping by 4.6 percentage points from 51.0% to 55.6% and 4.2 percentage points from 44.9% to 49.1% respectively. This year, 49.1% of Black Caribbean pupils achieved 5+A-C* compared to 32.9% in 2003. This rise of 16.2 percentage points is almost double the national increase of 8.6 percentage points over the same period, and means that the gap has significantly narrowed.Black African pupils have also being making steady progress with 55.6% achieving five good GCSEs compared to 40.7% in 2003. The figures also show that the gap is still closing when English and mathematics are included.Published today, the Statistical First Release National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and equivalent attainment and Post- 16 attainment by pupil characteristics, in England, 2006/07 shows the percentage of pupils achieving 5 or more A* to C grades at GCSE equivalent and a comparison with 2006 figures is given below:• Black African: up 4.6 percentage points to 55.6 per cent • Black Caribbean: up 4.2 percentage points to 49.1 per cent • Bangladeshi : up 1.8 percentage points to 58.4 per cent• Pakistani : up 1.6 percentage points to 53.0 per cent • White : up 2.0 percentage points to 59.5 per cent • All pupils in maintained schools up : up 2.0 percentage points to 59.3 per cent Andrew Adonis said:“This is another year of GCSE success for minority ethnic pupils, which reflects all the hard work from pupils and teachers in our schools. My congratulations go to all of them for this achievement. “In 2006, and again in 2007, Black pupils’ GCSE results have improved faster than those of any ethnic group and more than twice the national average. Since 2003, the percentage increase in the number of Black Caribbean pupils achieving five good GCSEs has been almost double the national increase, meaning that the gap has narrowed by 8 percentage points in four years. These are encouraging trends because good GCSE results mean better life chances and more prosperity and success for these children. “Over the last few years, our targeted programmes like Aiming High and London Challenge have helped pupils make significant progress. That is why we have rolled out both of these projects to ensure that no child is left behind and we give them the extra push they need. “I am pleased to see that pupils eligible for Free School Meals are also improving faster than the average. We want every child to benefit from improving standards, but we particularly want to close the gap for the most disadvantaged. Our new focus on the progression of individuals, with tailored support for children’s specific needs, will help every pupil to reach their full potential. This is about closing the attainment gap.” Other findings include:Chinese, pupils of Mixed White and Asian heritage, Irish and Indian pupils consistently achieved above the national average across Key Stage1, Key stage 2 and Key Stage 4. For example, over 80% of Chinese pupils, over 70% of Indian pupils and over two thirds of Mixed White and Asian pupils achieved 5+A*-C grades at GCSE and equivalent at the end of Key Stage 4. Irish pupils also achieved highly, with over 60% of pupils achieving 5+A*-C. This compares with the average of 59% across all ethnic groups. Editor's Notes
This press notice relates to 'England'
1. The Statistical First Release 'National Curriculum Assessment, GCSE and equivalent attainment and Post- attainment by pupils characteristics, in England, 2006/07' is published and is available at http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000759/index.shtml 2. The figures published today show how pupils are performing in Key Stage tests, GCSE and equivalent and A levels and equivalent, broken down by ethnicity, gender, English as additional language, Special Educational Needs and free school meals.3. The Department’s PSA agreements 10 and 11 are respectively to raise standards for all, and to narrow the gap for disadvantaged pupils – with the principal indicator being eligibility for free school meals.
Contact Details
Public Enquiries 0870 000 2288, info@dcsf.gsi.gov.uk
Press Notice 2007/0223
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