Agenda item

V Thomas went through the analysis of the religious studies results for GCSE full course, GCSE short course, A level and AS level. She confirmed that each school would have received their own school examination results and this would be discussed within the school. The analysis gave a summary of the 2016 results in comparison to the previous two years, the Consortia and the All Wales figure.  The analysis also included the cohort percentage which had not been included in previous years.

GCSE full course: This course is generally taken by pupils who have chosen to take RE in their options. 

The number of schools entering for this course remained the same as 2015 but the number of pupils entering had increased.  2015 results were exceptionally high as a benchmark so results at all grade boundaries were below 2015 results but comparable with 2014.  Results were also better than   Consortia figures at all grade boundaries but below All Wales figures.

GCSE short course: Entry figures for 2016 had dropped below the previous two years although the same number of schools had entered.  Cohort entry was significantly better than both the Consortia and All Wales figures.  A*-A grades were better than 2015 and better than the Consortia and All Wales figures.  A*-C and A*-G grades were below previous performance of 2015 and 2014 whilst better than the Consortia at A*-C and A*-G and better than the All Wales figures at A*-C and comparable with at A*-G. 

It is compulsory for pupils to take RE at KS4 hence most pupils not taking the full course will take the short course which gives the pupils the opportunity for accreditation for their KS4 study. However, more able pupils are encouraged to take the full course in the short course time allocation.  Some pupils are entered for 2 short courses and these results are reflected in full course figures.

Members voiced their concern that if the short course was not available to pupils they would have to do the required statutory RE at KS4 which amounts to one hour a week, the content of which most pupils do not find interesting and there is no qualification on its completion.

It was noted that almost half of the pupils in Newport schools were taking either the short course or full course.  A total cohort of 84% for both courses were leaving schools with a qualification in RS.

A Level:  Entry figures and number of schools entering had increased in 2016.  A*-A results were significantly down on 2015 results but comparable with 2014.  They were below the Consortia and All Wales figures.  A*-C results were comparable with both 2015 and 2014 and higher than Consortia and All Wales figures.  A*-E results continued the excellent performance of previous years at 100%, slightly better than the Consortia and All Wales figures.

AS Level: There was a slight drop in entry numbers from 2015 although the number of schools entered remained the same.  A grade results were comparable with 2014 and Consortia figures but below 2015 and the All Wales figures.  A-C results were comparable with Consortia figures but below previous performance and the All Wales figures.  A-E results were comparable with previous performance and better than Consortia figures but below the All Wales figure of 89%.

Members were reminded that schools losing the short course GCSE at KS4 could affect the take up of students for A and AS level courses.  The data only included results which had been cached in by pupils not going on to do A level otherwise it could result in data being double counted.

Agreed:

V Thomas to draft a letter to all Newport secondary schools enclosing the analysis which would be forwarded to all secondary schools.