HL Deb 14 March 2002 vol 632 cc101-2WA
Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What responses they have received to their consultation on the secondary schools performance tables value added pilot; and when these will be published. [HL3150]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

There has been a good response to our evaluation of the 2001 secondary school performance tables value added pilot. We have received 126 responses to the questionnaire published alongside the tables, comprising 91 of the 200 schools who participated in the pilot; 26 local education authorities; and nine from assorted organisations and other interested parties. In addition, 125 schools attended a series of focus groups which examined in some detail the methodology used in the pilot.

The main findings from the evaluation underpin our plans for the publication of value added measures for all schools in this year's secondary school performance tables, which are discussed in a consultation document to be published on 19 March. A full report of the evaluation, including all technical aspects, will be published by 31 March. Copies will be made available on request.

Lord Lucas

asked Her Majesty's Government:

For what reasons schools were allowed to exclude pupils from the value added pilot to produce coverage percentages of less than 100 per cent; and which of these reasons will be permitted when the full tables are published. [HL3151]

Baroness Ashton of Upholland

A coverage indicator was published in the secondary school value added pilot performance tables to show the proportion of pupils that had been included in the calculation of the value added measures. There were several reasons why pupils might not have been included in those calculations. The main reason was that no prior attainment could be found for the pupil from which to measure progress to the next key stage of their education. This is predominantly an issue with pupils whose earlier education was not assessed through the National Curriculum—for example, those in independent schools which do not participate in National Curriculum assessment arrangements. Schools are not offered the option of choosing which pupils should or should not be included in calculations.

Our proposals for the publication of value added measures for all secondary schools in this year's performance tables are set out in a consultation document to be published on 19 March. We propose no change to the rules tested in the pilot which govern the coverage of pupils in the value added calculations and intend not to publish the value added scores for schools where coverage falls below 50 per cent of pupils.