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Independent Schools Council – A-level results 2017

Close to one fifth of A-level entries at Independent Schools Council (ISC) schools scored the top A* grade in 2017, new figures reveal.

Results data published today by the ISC also show the percentage of students achieving at least ABB – a set of results desired by many of the top UK universities – has reached 55.6%.

This year’s A-level results figures, which have been collected from 452 schools, reveal:

  • Almost half of A-level entries at ISC schools received either an A* or an A. At 47.9%, this is almost double the national average of 26.3%.
  • The proportion of pupils getting three A* grades or equivalent stands at 7.8%, while the percentage of entries getting an A* at A-level is now 18.3%.
  • There was an increase in candidates taking Extended Project (+40.6%), Pre-U (+56.2%), and BTEC (+20.2%) qualifications.
  • The average points score for pupils taking the IB Diploma was 37, roughly equivalent to 4.5 As at A-level. In the International Baccalaureate, 3.7% of pupils obtained 45 points, the highest mark, which is only achieved by 0.1% of candidates worldwide.

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of ISC, said: “Once again, pupils at ISC schools have achieved an impressive set of Year 13 exam results, with the headline A* and A figures remaining particularly strong.

https://www.isc.co.uk/media-enquiries/news-press-releases-statements/independent-schools-council-a-level-results-2017/

Top private schools tell pupils to take up a trade as they move away from pushing all students to expensive university courses

Private schools are urging more pupils to take vocational courses in a move to stop pushing all students toward further education.

Head teachers say they are advising pupils to learn a trade as they are faced with questions over whether degrees are good value for money, with heads arguing that companies favour applicants with technical and business skills.

The Independent Schools Council (ISC) published schools showing entries for BTECs rose by a fifth last year across the 452 ISC schools that shared results. 

The figures reveal that the number of BTECs taken at ISC schools has more than doubled over the last four years, with 765 taken by 603 pupils this year.

Lasts year 646 of the courses were taken by 516 candidates and in 2012 there were 290 entries by 237 pupils.

Across the country, 376,000 BTECs are taken, with Cumbria's Sedburgh School, York's Faculty of Queen Ethelburga, Lincolnshire's Stamford School and Brighton College among those that offer the courses. 

Retiring head teacher of St Paul's Girls' School in west London Clarissa Farr said a new 'entrepreneurshipcol' scheme will allow sixth-formers to solve problems alongside businesses and explore innovation. 

BTECs are accepted by many Russell Group universities as admissions criteria for certain degrees and admissions body UCAS values the highest grade of BTECs as the equivalent of three A* grades at A level.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4825394/Private-schools-urge-pupils-choose-Btecs-not-degrees.html#ixzz4r8vmOkDG