The Education (School Performance Information) (Wales) Regulations 1998
These Regulations, which relate to the provision to the Secretary of State and to parents of information about the performance of schools and other specified information, apply in relation to schools and local education authorities in Wales. They replace, with some changes, the Education (School Performance Information) (Wales) Regulations 1997, which are revoked. The main changes are summarised below.Information relating to vocational qualifications is to cover the period of 12 months ending on 31st July, and this is reflected in the new definitions of “reporting year” and “previous year” (see regulation 3(1)), which replace the definitions of “reporting school year” and “previous school year” in the 1997 Regulations. Information relating to GCSE, GCSE short course, CoEA, GCE ‘A’ level and GCE ‘AS’ examinations will continue to relate to the year ending on 31st August.Information about percentages of pupils achieving grades A* to C and A* to G in five or more GCSE examinations must cover pupils obtaining “equivalent” achievements (as explained in regulation 4(5)) in any combination of “lower examinations” (as defined in regulation 3(1) as meaning GCSE, GCSE short course, NVQ at levels 1 and 2 and Part I and full GNVQ examinations (at Foundation and Intermediate levels))—see paragraphs 2(l) and (m) of Part I of Schedule 1.The average points’ scores per pupil (determined as provided for in regulation 4(7)) must now be given in respect of lower examinations (other than NVQs)—see paragraph 3 of Part I of Schedule 1.Information must be given about the percentages of pupils achieving grades A–C and A–E in two or more GCE ‘A’ level examinations or an “equivalent” achievement (as explained in regulation 4(5)) in “higher examinations” (as defined in regulation 3(1) as GCE ‘A’ level, GCE ‘AS’ and Advanced GNVQ examinations)—see paragraphs 9 to 11 of Part II of Schedule 1.In the case of pupils entered for two or more higher examinations (to be determined as explained in regulation 4(6)), average points’ scores (within specified ranges) must now be given in respect of higher examinations (to be determined as provided for in regulation 4(7))—see paragraphs 9, 12 and 13 of Part II of Schedule 1.There will now be 2 booklets published by the Secretary of State for each area, one of which will contain information provided to the Secretary of State (or derived from that information) and the other a summary of the first booklet. The requirement to provide copies to parents will apply only to the Summary, but both will be required to be made available for inspection—see the new definition of Summary Document in regulation 3(1) and the changes in regulation 10.Some additional background information is specified in Schedule 3—see paragraphs 6 and 7.Schedule 5 has been modified to take into account changes to Schedule 1.