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Wednesday, 01 August 2007
The Department for Children, Schools and Families has published
its 2007 secondary school league tables, based on performance in
GCSE and A Level examinations.
Bolton School Girls' Division was top of the table of Bolton
schools with its near perfect 99% of pupils getting five or more A*
to C grades, including Maths and English. 100% of students achieved
five or more A*-C grades in any subject. The Girls' Division also
topped a performance table of secondary schools in the neighbouring
boroughs of Bury, Wigan and Salford and ranked as 73rd best
independent school in the country.
However, it was a different story for the Boys' Division. Like
many independent schools, the Boys' Division has adopted the
International GCSE qualification in place of traditional GCSEs. The
IGCSE offers less focus on coursework and there is a belief that it
stretches further the brightest pupils. However, the government
refuses to recognise this new qualification and has, effectively,
blocked state schools from offering the more challenging exam.
Consequently, the tables completely ignore this qualification and
many top independent schools have ranked in low positions in this
year's league table. This was the case for the Boys' Division,
although if the IGCSE qualification had been recognised it would
have recorded the same pass rates as the Girls' Division: 99% of
pupils achieving 5 or more A*-C passes (including English and
Maths) and 100% of pupils achieving 5 more A*-C passes.
Jonathan Shepherd, the chief executive of the Independent
Schools' Council, said:
These flawed and misleading tables are a travesty of fair
reporting.
Headmaster Mr Mervyn Brooker said:
The results reflect the fact that a majority of our students
take IGSCE as a better preparation for A Level. In fact, if we
include IGCSE, only one out of 135 candidates failed to gain 5 A*-C
passes including Maths and English. Unfortunately, the league
tables are too narrowly defined to indicate effective education or
true performance. These results were excellent for this cohort,
given the breadth of their experience and achievements. They are
well rounded young men who will go on to impress at A Level and in
the wider world.
Mrs Richards, Headmistress of the Girls' Division, said:
Currently the Girls' Division does not take any IGCSE
examinations, although the curriculum is kept under constant
review. Each Headteacher will have made a decision on examination
entry based on what is best for their pupils. It seems most unfair
to penalise those schools that do take IGCSEs. The League tables
therefore no longer reflect schools' academic achievement
accurately and are of limited value to parents in choosing a
secondary school. A school is so much more than its League
position.
The Girls' Division and Boys' Division were ranked in first and
second position in the table of Bolton schools for their A Level
results.
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