This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/6249849.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Schools failing to teach basics Schools failing to teach basics
(about 4 hours later)
Five hundred secondary schools in England did not meet the government's minimum target for GCSE attainment, the annual performance tables show.Five hundred secondary schools in England did not meet the government's minimum target for GCSE attainment, the annual performance tables show.
Ministers unapologetically "raised the bar", saying the benchmark of five good grades must include English and maths.Ministers unapologetically "raised the bar", saying the benchmark of five good grades must include English and maths.
They want a quarter of pupils in every school to manage this - but in almost a sixth of schools they did not.They want a quarter of pupils in every school to manage this - but in almost a sixth of schools they did not.
Yet many do well on a new "value added" measure taking account of factors such as gender, ethnicity and deprivation.Yet many do well on a new "value added" measure taking account of factors such as gender, ethnicity and deprivation.
The tables confirm that, across the country, 45.8% of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 of the national curriculum attained the equivalent of five GCSEs at grade C or above including English and maths.The tables confirm that, across the country, 45.8% of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 of the national curriculum attained the equivalent of five GCSEs at grade C or above including English and maths.
The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, David Frost, said this figure was "shocking".The director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, David Frost, said this figure was "shocking".
2006 SECONDARY TABLES New benchmark includes English and maths GCSEs43.8% of pupils in state schools attained itEvery pupil made the grade in 34 schools Less than half did so in 63% of schoolsLess than a quarter in almost one in six schoolsNew contextual value added progress measureNew A-level points system On the old measure, under which any five subjects counted, it was 59.2%.2006 SECONDARY TABLES New benchmark includes English and maths GCSEs43.8% of pupils in state schools attained itEvery pupil made the grade in 34 schools Less than half did so in 63% of schoolsLess than a quarter in almost one in six schoolsNew contextual value added progress measureNew A-level points system On the old measure, under which any five subjects counted, it was 59.2%.
The tables, compiled by the Department for Education and Skills, provide a school-by-school breakdown of those national averages.The tables, compiled by the Department for Education and Skills, provide a school-by-school breakdown of those national averages.
In 114 schools every pupil achieved the new English and maths benchmark - 34 of them state schools, the rest in the independent sector.In 114 schools every pupil achieved the new English and maths benchmark - 34 of them state schools, the rest in the independent sector.
The best, on the basis of the average points each pupil attained, was Chelmsford County High School for Girls in Essex.The best, on the basis of the average points each pupil attained, was Chelmsford County High School for Girls in Essex.
The 119 pupils averaged 738 points in their exams - equivalent to more than 12 A* grades.The 119 pupils averaged 738 points in their exams - equivalent to more than 12 A* grades.
The worst was Temple School near Rochester in Kent, where only 2% of the pupils managed five good grades including English and maths.The worst was Temple School near Rochester in Kent, where only 2% of the pupils managed five good grades including English and maths.
Average points among the 125 pupils there were 235.Average points among the 125 pupils there were 235.
We knew we had made a large improvement but we didn't really know we would be the most improved Head teacher Jo Mullis Making great strides But many well-known and high-performing independent schools such as Rugby, Harrow, Dulwich College and Uppingham also appear to do badly.We knew we had made a large improvement but we didn't really know we would be the most improved Head teacher Jo Mullis Making great strides But many well-known and high-performing independent schools such as Rugby, Harrow, Dulwich College and Uppingham also appear to do badly.
Their pupils sit International GCSEs in English and maths, which they regard as more challenging - but which are not counted in the official tables, much to their annoyance.Their pupils sit International GCSEs in English and maths, which they regard as more challenging - but which are not counted in the official tables, much to their annoyance.
There has been a "value added" progress measure for some years - comparing pupils' attainment with that of all other pupils with similar prior attainment.There has been a "value added" progress measure for some years - comparing pupils' attainment with that of all other pupils with similar prior attainment.
There should be no hiding place for underperforming and coasting schools Schools Minister Jim KnightThere should be no hiding place for underperforming and coasting schools Schools Minister Jim Knight
That has now been "contextualised" to give a new CVA indicator, which factors in nine things reckoned to affect pupils' attainment, such as gender, special educational needs, ethnicity and local deprivation.That has now been "contextualised" to give a new CVA indicator, which factors in nine things reckoned to affect pupils' attainment, such as gender, special educational needs, ethnicity and local deprivation.
A complex calculation generates a predicted outcome for each pupil, based on the results of all similar pupils.A complex calculation generates a predicted outcome for each pupil, based on the results of all similar pupils.
If their actual results are higher than predicted, the government says the school has had a positive impact - if lower, it has failed to see if they fulfil their potential.If their actual results are higher than predicted, the government says the school has had a positive impact - if lower, it has failed to see if they fulfil their potential.
'Not enough''Not enough'
Schools Minister Jim Knight said including English and maths in the "gold standard" reflected the importance the government placed on equipping youngsters with "the basics".Schools Minister Jim Knight said including English and maths in the "gold standard" reflected the importance the government placed on equipping youngsters with "the basics".
He added: "There should be no hiding place for underperforming and coasting schools that fail to make a significant positive impact on their pupil's progress."He added: "There should be no hiding place for underperforming and coasting schools that fail to make a significant positive impact on their pupil's progress."
Shadow education secretary David Willetts said the new benchmark did not go far enough: the basics should include the sciences, history and modern languages.Shadow education secretary David Willetts said the new benchmark did not go far enough: the basics should include the sciences, history and modern languages.
"This is what every pupil is entitled to and deserves. Currently, too few pupils are being given this opportunity.""This is what every pupil is entitled to and deserves. Currently, too few pupils are being given this opportunity."
The general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, Chris Keates, said the "unnecessary, divisive and demoralising annual ritual" of the tables encouraged competition between schools at a time when the government was promoting collaboration.The general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, Chris Keates, said the "unnecessary, divisive and demoralising annual ritual" of the tables encouraged competition between schools at a time when the government was promoting collaboration.
The third major change this year is that A-level results now include many vocational qualifications, as was done with the GCSE-level results some years ago.The third major change this year is that A-level results now include many vocational qualifications, as was done with the GCSE-level results some years ago.
This necessitated a new points score, devised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. An A-level at grade A is worth 270 points.This necessitated a new points score, devised by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. An A-level at grade A is worth 270 points.
The top school was Colchester Royal Grammar, whose students averaged 1,258 points each.The top school was Colchester Royal Grammar, whose students averaged 1,258 points each.