This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/education-16721884
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Struggling pupils don't catch up, data shows | |
(40 minutes later) | |
By Hannah Richardson and Katherine Sellgren BBC News | |
Just one in 15 (6.5%) pupils starting secondary school in England "behind" for their age goes on to get five good GCSEs including English and maths, official data shows. | Just one in 15 (6.5%) pupils starting secondary school in England "behind" for their age goes on to get five good GCSEs including English and maths, official data shows. |
The government data published as part of secondary school league tables suggests the majority of schools are failing struggling pupils. | The government data published as part of secondary school league tables suggests the majority of schools are failing struggling pupils. |
Nationally 58.2% of pupils reach the five good GCSEs benchmark. | Nationally 58.2% of pupils reach the five good GCSEs benchmark. |
Minister Nick Gibb said schools which let pupils down would be tackled. | Minister Nick Gibb said schools which let pupils down would be tackled. |
The Department for Education data covers England's more than 5,000 secondary schools with more than 200 pieces of information being published for each one - almost four times as much as last year. | The Department for Education data covers England's more than 5,000 secondary schools with more than 200 pieces of information being published for each one - almost four times as much as last year. |
Much of the information is broken down by pupil type, with scores offered for low, medium and high-attaining pupils, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as non-disadvantaged. | Much of the information is broken down by pupil type, with scores offered for low, medium and high-attaining pupils, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds as well as non-disadvantaged. |
As expected, those from disadvantaged backgrounds (classed as those on free school meals or in local authority care) do less well. | As expected, those from disadvantaged backgrounds (classed as those on free school meals or in local authority care) do less well. |
Only a third (34%) of these children achieve the government's benchmark of five GCSEs - or equivalent qualifications - graded A* to C, including English and maths. | Only a third (34%) of these children achieve the government's benchmark of five GCSEs - or equivalent qualifications - graded A* to C, including English and maths. |
In 909 schools, not one low-attaining pupil (those who did not reach Level 4 at the end of primary school) reached this threshold. | In 909 schools, not one low-attaining pupil (those who did not reach Level 4 at the end of primary school) reached this threshold. |
At the other end of the spectrum, 95% of pupils who started school "ahead" for their age (achieving Level 5 at the end of primary school) got five good GCSEs, including English and maths. | At the other end of the spectrum, 95% of pupils who started school "ahead" for their age (achieving Level 5 at the end of primary school) got five good GCSEs, including English and maths. |
And of those who started school at the expected level for their age, (Level 4 at the end of primary school) some 45.6% failed to progress to five good GCSEs. | And of those who started school at the expected level for their age, (Level 4 at the end of primary school) some 45.6% failed to progress to five good GCSEs. |
Overall, 58.2% of pupils in England's state schools got five good GCSEs including English and maths (including equivalent qualifications). | Overall, 58.2% of pupils in England's state schools got five good GCSEs including English and maths (including equivalent qualifications). |
'One chance' | 'One chance' |
When these qualifications, such as BTecs and NVQs, are excluded, 52.4% of pupils gained five good GCSEs. | When these qualifications, such as BTecs and NVQs, are excluded, 52.4% of pupils gained five good GCSEs. |
The performance data also shows what proportion of pupils get the English Baccalaureate. | The performance data also shows what proportion of pupils get the English Baccalaureate. |
This new measure, introduced in 2010, is the proportion of pupils achieving A*-C passes in English, maths, two science subjects, a modern or ancient language, and either history or geography. | This new measure, introduced in 2010, is the proportion of pupils achieving A*-C passes in English, maths, two science subjects, a modern or ancient language, and either history or geography. |
Nationally across all pupils, just 15.4% got the wrap-around qualification, but most pupils would have made their GCSE choices before Education Secretary Michael Gove announced he was introducing this certificate of achievement. | Nationally across all pupils, just 15.4% got the wrap-around qualification, but most pupils would have made their GCSE choices before Education Secretary Michael Gove announced he was introducing this certificate of achievement. |
Pupils with low prior attainment also performed poorly in the English Bacc, with just 0.3% gaining the wrap-around qualification. | Pupils with low prior attainment also performed poorly in the English Bacc, with just 0.3% gaining the wrap-around qualification. |
Sevenoaks School, a private school in Kent, tops the English Bacc tables, with 99% of pupils meeting this benchmark. | Sevenoaks School, a private school in Kent, tops the English Bacc tables, with 99% of pupils meeting this benchmark. |
Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "Today's figures reveal a shocking waste of talent in many schools across the country. All too often, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds aren't given the same opportunities as their peers. | Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "Today's figures reveal a shocking waste of talent in many schools across the country. All too often, pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds aren't given the same opportunities as their peers. |
"But there are great examples of schools achieving the best for their disadvantaged pupils. If they can get it right, then so can all schools." | "But there are great examples of schools achieving the best for their disadvantaged pupils. If they can get it right, then so can all schools." |
The government says its data shows there are 107 secondary schools below the floor standard of 35% of pupils getting five good GCSEs, including English and maths. | The government says its data shows there are 107 secondary schools below the floor standard of 35% of pupils getting five good GCSEs, including English and maths. |
Top performers | Top performers |
Mr Gibb added: "Children only have one chance at education. These tables show which schools are letting children down. We will not hesitate to tackle underperformance in any school, including academies. | Mr Gibb added: "Children only have one chance at education. These tables show which schools are letting children down. We will not hesitate to tackle underperformance in any school, including academies. |
"Heads should be striving to make improvements year on year, and we will not let schools coast with mediocre performance." | "Heads should be striving to make improvements year on year, and we will not let schools coast with mediocre performance." |
In total, 158 schools see 100% of pupils getting five GCSEs A*-C or equivalent, including maths and English. | In total, 158 schools see 100% of pupils getting five GCSEs A*-C or equivalent, including maths and English. |
When the average point score per pupil is used to rank these schools, the Lawrence Sheriff Grammar School in Rugby comes top. | When the average point score per pupil is used to rank these schools, the Lawrence Sheriff Grammar School in Rugby comes top. |
Head teacher Dr Peter Kent said much of the school's success was down to Key Stage 4 being spread over three years rather than the traditional two. | Head teacher Dr Peter Kent said much of the school's success was down to Key Stage 4 being spread over three years rather than the traditional two. |
"This gives departments a chance to deliver a very personalised curriculum and we all respond well to something that's been tailored to our individual needs," he said. | "This gives departments a chance to deliver a very personalised curriculum and we all respond well to something that's been tailored to our individual needs," he said. |
The poorest performing school was St Aldhelm's Academy in Poole, Dorset, where just 3% of pupils got five GCSEs A*-C or equivalent, including maths and English. | The poorest performing school was St Aldhelm's Academy in Poole, Dorset, where just 3% of pupils got five GCSEs A*-C or equivalent, including maths and English. |
Principal Cheryl Heron, who took over in September 2010, said the results were "disappointing but not unexpected". It would take time to change and transform pupils' learning experiences, she added. | Principal Cheryl Heron, who took over in September 2010, said the results were "disappointing but not unexpected". It would take time to change and transform pupils' learning experiences, she added. |
'Focus' | 'Focus' |
At sixth form level, the Colchester Royal Grammar School in Essex comes out as the best performer, with an average point score per pupil of over 1,477 - this is the equivalent of over four A*s and one A grade at A-level. | At sixth form level, the Colchester Royal Grammar School in Essex comes out as the best performer, with an average point score per pupil of over 1,477 - this is the equivalent of over four A*s and one A grade at A-level. |
The best performing county was Sutton in London, where 74.7% of pupils got the government benchmark of five GCSEs, including maths and English. | The best performing county was Sutton in London, where 74.7% of pupils got the government benchmark of five GCSEs, including maths and English. |
The worst performing council was Knowsley, Merseyside, where 40.8% of pupils reached this level. | The worst performing council was Knowsley, Merseyside, where 40.8% of pupils reached this level. |
A spokesman for the council said: "The levels of attainment in Knowsley's schools are improving year on year and we are striving to accelerate that improvement in 2012 and beyond. | A spokesman for the council said: "The levels of attainment in Knowsley's schools are improving year on year and we are striving to accelerate that improvement in 2012 and beyond. |
"There are areas for improvement and we will continue to focus on bringing all our pupils up to the level of the best." | "There are areas for improvement and we will continue to focus on bringing all our pupils up to the level of the best." |