School tables to include science

Ministers want to boost the numbers studying science

England's secondary schools are going to be rated on the proportion of pupils getting two science GCSEs at grade C or above, in this year's league tables.

The new measure will sit alongside the one showing how many got five good GCSEs, including English and maths.

Then, in the 2008 tables, another new indicator will show the proportion with grade C or above in a modern language.

The Department for Education and Skills also plans "contextual" data on pupils' progress for primary schools this year.

The proposed changes are set out on the department's School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables website.

What counts

The introduction of the science benchmark is part of the government's Science and Innovation Investment Framework.

The department says it is aimed at encouraging the take-up of science and improving performance.

To be counted, pupils must have achieved grades A*-C in either:

• GCSE science ('core') and GCSE additional science or additional applied science
• GCSE applied science double award
• GCSE science and GCSE environmental and land-based science
• At least two of the separate physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs

As in the rest of the Level 2 (GCSE-level) indicators, any AS-levels that pupils have taken early will also count.

But there is no mention of equivalent vocational qualifications, such as BTecs.

'Core'

The intention to include a modern language in future was a recommendation of the Dearing review into the sharp decline that came after language study was made optional beyond the age of 14.

The intention is that the indicator will feature in the 2008 tables.

It will not include classical languages, British Sign Languages, any English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol) qualifications or those which are mainly a study of literature and/or culture - nor, in this case, AS-levels taken early.

Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said the changes were welcome.

"Including indicators in the core academic subjects of science and modern foreign languages as well as in English and mathematics will help address the drift away from these subjects in some secondary schools," he said.

"It will make it more difficult for schools to artificially boost their league table positions by switching to softer GCSE options at the expense of academic subjects that are more useful to children in the long run."

Value added

Meanwhile, data on pupils' progress will be changed in the primary school tables from this year.

The new "contextual value added" (CVA) indicator for primary schools follows the inclusion of a similar measure in last year's secondary school tables.

Pilot versions are said to have been popular with schools and local authorities.

CVA aims to be a better reflection of the progress children make from one set of assessments to the next than the existing, simple value added score.

It does this by factoring in a range of things that are known to influence children's attainment but are outside a school's control, such as gender, ethnicity and poverty.

Officials are still struggling with the complexity of introducing a similar measure for the post-16 tables.

The 2007 performance tables are expected to be published as usual in December for primary schools and in January next year for secondary schools and colleges.