Research and analysis

Variability in AS and A level results for schools, 2015 to 2017

Analysis of how results for schools and colleges have changed in recent years.

• From: Ofqual
• Published: 17 August 2017

Applies to England

Documents

Variability in A level results for schools and colleges 2015-2017

Ref: Ofqual/17/6259

PDF, 1.12 MB, 17 pages

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Variability in AS results for schools and colleges 2015-2017

Ref: Ofqual/17/6258

PDF, 1.17 MB, 18 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email publications@ofqual.gov.uk. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

The overall variation in AS and A level grades has remained small, with only very small changes in the overall percentages of students achieving A* or A grades. While this is the case for the whole country, it is still possible for individual schools and colleges to see variation in their results from year to year, even when national results are stable. This can be due to many different factors, including differences in the ability mix of the students, different teaching approaches, changes in teaching staff or teaching time, and changes to qualifications.

These 2 reports look at the variation in several hundred schools and colleges in England and analyse how their results in a number of popular subjects have varied.

Key points: A level

1. In general, the level of variation in individual school and college results at A* and A is similar to previous years.
2. Differences between the average (mean) percentage of students achieving grades A* or A in 2016/2017 and in 2015/2016 were generally small, indicating that year-on-year results in the subjects analysed have remained relatively stable.
3. Even when there are no changes to qualifications, individual schools and colleges will see variation in their year-on-year results: this is normal.

Key points: AS level

1. In general, the level of variation in individual school and college results at grade A is similar to last year.
2. Differences between the average (mean) percentage of students achieving a grade A in 2016/2017 and in 2015/2016 were generally small, indicating that year-on-year results in the subjects analysed have remained relatively stable.
3. Even when there are no changes to qualifications, individual schools and colleges will see variation in their year-on-year results: this is normal.

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Published 17 August 2017