---

Schools: Performance Tables

Answer

The school and college achievement and attainment tables provide a reliable source of comparative information to help focus the debate on standards and strengthen the accountability of schools and colleges. It follows that the indicators of performance at the end of key stage 4 must be based on performance in comparable examinations. This means that for inclusion in the tables qualifications must first be accredited by Ofqual as meeting certain standards and be subject to regulation to ensure those standards are maintained. International GCSEs (iGCSEs) have not been submitted to Ofqual for accreditation by the awarding bodies concerned and so cannot be considered for inclusion in the tables. Once accredited, qualifications for use in maintained schools must also be approved for funding under Section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. The achievement and attainment tables only recognise qualifications which have been approved under Section 96 because it is unlawful for maintained schools to offer other qualifications. While independent schools can legally offer qualifications which are not approved under Section 96, these are not recognised in the tables because to do so would mean that the tables would not be comparing performance across a common set of qualifications. In the key performance indicator showing the number of pupils achieving five A*-C GCSEs or equivalent, including GCSEs in English and mathematics, we specify GCSEs in these core subjects because they have been accredited by Ofqual as meeting the statutory requirements of the national curriculum. Ofqual has not determined whether iGCSEs meet these requirements because they have not been submitted for accreditation. However, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) conducted a comparability study into the extent to which iGCSEs met GCSE criteria and corresponding programmes of study required for use in England, the results of which are available on Ofqual's website at www.ofqual.gov.uk/309.aspx. This found that, for example, the iGCSE in English literature includes no prescribed reading to meet the requirement to study Shakespeare. The QCA is responsible for the methodology for establishing the relative value of qualifications reported in the achievement and attainment tables and the points awarded to those qualifications. Their system was designed as a measure of a school's effort and effectiveness in teaching these qualifications. UCAS's system, on the other hand, was designed as a measure of students' preparedness for higher education.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

3035; 710 c196-7WA

Session

2008-09

Related items

Schools: Performance Tables
Monday, 20 April 2009
Written questions
House of Lords

Subjects

Qualifications Literature Statistics Standards Schools GCSE Universities and Colleges Admissions Service Mathematics IGCSE

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk