Private schools in GCSE success

12 April 2012

Pupils in independent schools scored three times as many As and A* grades in their GCSEs this summer than the average for teenagers across the country but this will not be reflected in official figures.

Nearly six out of 10 GCSE exams taken in private schools were awarded a grade A or A*, compared to two out of 10 nationally, according to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

The top school in league tables based on the ISC's results was Harrow, where boys scored on average more than 11 A*s each this year.

The figures followed a row last week over claims by exam boards that standards were falling in private schools.

The AQA board said the proportions of pupils scoring As and A*s in state grammars and comprehensives were rising, while the share of top grades in private schools was falling.

But ISC chief executive Jonathan Shephard said the figures showed the board's claims last week did not reflect the true picture.

The ISC said last week that independent schools were unfairly penalised because hundreds of them were teaching International GCSEs (IGCSEs), which are not included in the exam boards' official figures.

The IGCSE is seen as a more challenging exam and has been likened to traditional O-levels. Growing numbers of independent schools have been swapping to the international exams in recent years because GCSEs are seen as too "easy".

Mr Shephard said: "Plainly it is important to include IGCSE results in the overall calculations."

The IGCSE is not approved for use in state schools by ministers and so cannot be included in official Government tables of school results.

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