GCSE Attainment

4.29 Provisional results for 2007 show 59% of young people in the South West gained five or more A* to C grades at GCSE. Limited improvement in recent years on this measure means that the South West is now below the average for England as a whole – for the first time in a decade.

Table 4.10 Attainment of 15 Year Old Pupils in Maintained Schools at GCSE and Equivalent, 2007, percentage (provisional)

5+ A*-C grades (%)

5+ A*-C grades including English & Maths (%)

%+ A*-G grades (%)

South West

59.0

47.0

91.7

England1

59.3

45.5

91.3
1Figures for England include the maintained sector only
Source: DfES, SFR 34/2007

    4.30 GCSE attainment varies by gender, with girls achieving considerably better results than boys; in 2007, 53.9% of boys achieved five or more A* to C grades at GCSE compared to 64.2% of girls. This is consistent with national patterns of attainment.

    4.31 Within the region Bristol again significantly underperforms against national standards at GCSE and equivalent, although Swindon, Bournemouth, Devon, South Gloucestershire and Somerset all have a lower percentage of pupils achieving 5+ A* to C grades than the national average. Attainment is highest within the Isles of Scilly, Bath and North East Somerset, Gloucestershire, Poole and Dorset.

    4.32 GCSE attainment has improved over time in both the South West and England. The percentage of pupils gaining five or more GCSEs passes at grades A* to C in the South West increased by almost eight percentage points between 1999 and 2007.

    Figure 4.1 Attainment of 5+ A star to C grages Amongst 15year olds in Maintained Schools by LEA area 2007, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Fig_4.1_Attainment_of_5+_A_star_to_C_grages_Amongst_15_year_olds_in_Maintained_Schools_by_LEA_area_2007,_percentages.pdf


    Figure 4.2 5+ A star to C Grades Amongst 15 Year Olds, 1999 to 2007, percentages (Popup full image) 
    Attainment_of_5+_A_star_to_C_Grades_Amongst_15_Year_Olds,_1999_to_2007,_percentages.pdf

    Notes: Figures are for the maintained sector & 2007 results are provisional.