Agenda item

V Thomas went through the analysis of the religious studies results for GCSE full course, GCSE short course, A and AS level. She confirmed that each school would have received their own school examination results and this would have been discussed within the school. The analysis gave a summary of the 2017 results in comparison to the previous two years, the Consortia and the All Wales figure.  The analysis also included the cohort percentage which had been introduced in 2016.

GCSE full course: This course is generally taken by pupils who have chosen to take RE in their options but also includes students who may be studying two short courses as part of their statutory RE studies. 

The number of schools entering for this course remained the same as 2016 and average cohort entry was slightly better than 2016.  Results for A*-A and A*-C were better than 2016, Consortia and All Wales figures.  Results for A*-G were slightly below the previous two years and the All Wales figure but comparable with the Consortia figure.

GCSE short course: Entry figures for 2017 had dropped below the previous two years although the same number of schools had entered. The % cohort entry though was only slightly below 2016 and was  significantly higher than both the Consortia and All Wales figures.  There was an improvement in A*-A grades compared to the two previous years and also they were better than the Consortia and All Wales figures.  A*-C grades were below previous performance but better than the Consortia and All Wales figures. A*-G grades were comparable with the previous two years  but better than the Consortia and All Wales figures.

Some schools enter pupils for two short courses and the performance is reflected in the full course results. It is generally more able pupils that are entered for two short courses and the results would be reflected in the A*-A and A*-C.

A Level: Both the number of schools and entry figures had decreased in 2017 although the % cohort entry figure was comparable with the Consortia figure and slightly better than the All Wales figure.  Results for A*-A has improved and was better than the Consortia figure and comparable with the All Wales figure.  A*-C results were lower than the previous two years and slightly below the Consortia and All Wales figure.  The pass rate for A-E was 95.4% which was below the previous two years excellent results of 100%.  It was also below the Consortia and All Wales figures.

AS Level: There was a huge rise in entry figures in 2017 compared to 2016 and 2015.  The % cohort entry figure also exceeded the Consortia and All Wales figures.  The A grade result was an improvement on 2016 results and lower than 2015 results. It is below the Consortia and All Wales figures. A-C results were the highest over the last three years and were also better than the Consortia and All Wales figures.  A-E results were also better than the previous two years, comparable with the Consortia figure and higher than the All Wales figure.

* Data includes only those who have cached in their results.  

Agreed: 

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