If you had a child at this school would these exam results worry you.

[VivaLeBeaver]

Copied over from ofsted school data dashboard,

In 2012, 53% of all pupils attained five GCSEs grade A* to C including English and mathematics. This is a decrease of six percentage points since 2011.

In 2012, 66% of all pupils attained grade A* to C in English (EBacc). This is a decrease of nine percentage points since 2011.

In 2012, 63% of all pupils attained grade A* to C in mathematics (EBacc). This has not changed since 2011.

In 2012, 42% of pupils entered for science (Ebacc) attained grade A* to C. This is a decrease of 20 percentage points since 2011. The percentage of pupils entered for EBacc Science was 58% in 2011 and 71 % in 2012.

I have a dd who's just finished year seven. Nothing has been mentioned by the school about this. There does seem to be a lot of science teachers who won't be returning in Sept, not sure why. Not sure if that's good or bad.

A lot might be due to the debacle with last summer's GCSE English grade boundaries. If they are a school who entered all pupils last summer a 9% drop is fairly normal ( grade boundaries changed by 13% between Jan '12 and June '12). Not sure about science though.

In a year group of say 200, 9 percentage points means 18 pupils.

It might be due to year group variation. maybe the 2011 cohort were unsually bright, and the 2012 unusually dim (it can happen).

Maybe there is a problem with the teaching.

I would wish to a) know about the trend, ie 2010-2013 and b) listen to the school's explanation.

If my child were in the top 25% it probably wouldn't be too concerning, but if around the middle I would be a bit worried.

I can't find specific results for subjects for 2010.

But in 2010 64% of children got 5 gcses inc maths and English at grades a-c.

In 2009 this figure was 41%.

So 2010 and 2011 were similar and I thought it was a school on its way up. But 2012 seems to have dropped back down to 2009 levels.

Will be interesting to see what this years results are.

Dd is in the top 25% so I think will pass her gcses. But I still worry, if the teaching isn't very good it will still affect her grades even if she still passes.

That sounds like DS's school. Our corresponding stats are 52%, 54% , 73% & 71%. Had a sharp dip last yr (20 points down, caught out by the English grading boundaries moving fiasco).

It's still the right school for DS. For other reasons. So am not worried.

I think the data on the achievements of the different cohorts is a better guide.

You can find it here

i think what you've proven is that if you look at any school's results 7 yrs ago & compare with last yr, you won't see consistency. This is partly why league tables are so bad as indicators of what will be a good school for your child over next 4-6 yrs. Among secondaries I looked at for DD, the league tables & Ofsteds were, 7 yrs ago:

B > A >> C.

Last year it was

A >> C >> B.

Who could have predicted that? And even 1-2 yrs ago local parents were still gushing about how great B is and very sniffy about C. A lot of people have expressed speechless shock that DS got into B (nothing special, ordinary application, they are even advertising for pupils!).

I think you're right Lljkk, I need to stop looking! Dd is there now so what will be will be.

Thanks.

Viva, last year just about the whole science department at the DC's school went. The science teaching this year has been sooooooo much better

What these results tell you is when to worry.

Ie do they need to be in the top stream? Top 2 streams? Top 3 streams?

That is if you're aiming for a C.

If you're aiming for an A you'll also be able to find out if top stream is good enough or top half of top stream or what.

The results for the whole cohort are not at all interesting. Because all you care about is your DC and what they get.