League tables – the truth behind the headlines

You would expect grammar schools to come out better than most other schools because they are academically selective

Melanie Gray, Wycliffe College

Looking at the recently published league tables assessing 2008 GCSE and A-level results, you’d be excused for thinking that the grammar schools are leading the field. Is it as simple as that, however, and how much credence should we give to the controversial league tables?

“You would expect grammar schools to come out better than most other schools because they are academically selective,” says Melanie Gray, a spokesperson for Wycliffe College, an independent school in Gloucestershire which was one of the top-performing schools for A-levels in 2008. “These schools are creaming off the top five per cent of pupils in academic terms, so if they didn’t score highly you’d have to ask serious questions of them.”

Also, and somewhat ironically, the flexibility of private schools may be compromising their league table positions across the board. The headmaster of Taunton School, John Newton, explains: "Many ambitious independent schools are now offering iGCSEs and these grades are not included in the statistics. Thus, grammar schools are bound to look better until that simple change is made and we create a true picture." 

Any drive towards helping individual students can also affect a school's league table position. “Bright students at Wycliffe are encouraged to take the GCSE a year in advance, thus freeing up time to do A-levels early,” says Melanie. “Their results, however, won’t be included in the league tables because of the age specifications.

One size doesn't fit all 

The very nature of the league tables can create confusion. "The problem is that the newspapers are trying to compare huge numbers of schools (of differing qualities and outlook) and trying to find a single generalisation which suits all, but schools need to be considered individually, says Ian Davenport, Headmaster of Blundell's school in Devon. "How do you compare a small, independent school which specialises in providing excellent learning support and is largely non-selective with, for instance, Colyton Grammar? Should they not be comparing Colyton with St Paul's, North London Collegiate or MCS Oxford, for example?

"This year we didn't enter the tables despite the pupils achieving some of the best results recorded here at A-level because I strongly believe that all schools are so much more than one published statistic each year. The tables do not measure the value added to each pupil, the selectivity of the intake, the increased levels of confidence, the friendships formed. I could go on and on," says Ian.

Finding a school where your children will be happy is such a personal choice and only you can tell whether a state, grammar or private school is right for your child. “There are so many questions to ask,” says Melanie. “What is the school’s ethos and how can it help your child with his or her individual learning need? Academic results are, of course, important but they’re not the whole story in creating happy, rounded people.”

Have your say

Do you think league tables are helpful to parents and encourage schools to raise their standards, or are they a flawed concept?