Although Ofqual appear to have updated their 2019 figures to take account of centres’ most recent self-declared types, they have not provided recalculated 2021 figures. We have used those from a previous release with the caveat that the figures may be different if the current type was used.
Bear in mind that the centre types are belarus rcs data self-declared by centres. The categories used by Ofqual aren’t in themselves mutually exclusive (a secondary comprehensive can be an academy, for example). Every year we recommend they switch to a more appropriate set using data from Get Information About Schools. Consequently, it’s probably not worth reading too much into this breakdown at this stage.
One last thing...
Before we sign off, just one final point. Although it's exciting (especially for data bods like ourselves) to look at each year's results the day they come out, it takes a bit of time to process the data and work out what it means for the population as a whole. The stats that really matter tend to be found in DfE's more detailed publication on Level 2 and 3 attainment by age 19, which are due to be published in April. And these don't usually get anything like the same attention as those that come out on results day.
Notes
[1]: This is why A-levels and GCSEs can’t be said to be “norm-referenced”. as a weak form of criterion referencing
[2]: Actually, another portmanteau category for a number of individual subjects
[3]: Accounting, Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control, Finance, Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing, and Management and Administration were awarded for the first time this year.
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