To wonder why there are separate 'league tables' for private and state schools?

[Dolcelatte]

I am sure that I am not only in being deeply sceptical about league tables in general and regarding them as a crude instrument for comparing different schools.

However, given that these tables do exist, what is the justification for having separate tables for state and private schools; surely the idea is to be able to compare different schools, which includes a comparison between all schools.

The national league tables have both state and independent schools on generally.

For example: www.bbc.co.uk/news/special/education/school_tables/secondary/11/html/alevel_373.stm?compare=

Don't know about England but the Scottish tables didn't differentiate.

Am I the only parent in existence who has never even looked at a league table, I wonder?

Thanks Hulababy, that's helpful. I was looking at a table in one of the newspapers today, which only included private schools.

You should have different tables for 'grammar schools' and the 'fake' comprehensives. These schools should be ranked on % of AAB at A Level and % of AA* at GCSE.

It is very unfair to rank grammar schools next to inner city schools. It is totally correct that separate tables exist, though I think some private schools might be relieved as they might be ranked below the best grammar schools.

I would rather see tables ranked on progress from year 7 - year 11 rather than the results at the end which don't indicate how well the child has actually progressed.

Sirzy - would the Value Added search criteria not do that? Shows the difference/progress between KS2 data and KS4/GCSE results.