(a) which vocational qualification award corresponds to which GCSE examination grade, and

(b) the equivalency between GCSE examination results and vocational qualifications,

shall be determined in accordance with sub-paragraphs (2) to (8).

    (2) Where a pupil is awarded a Part One GNVQ (Intermediate level), he shall be treated as having achieved grade A* to C in two GCSE subjects.

    (3) Where a pupil is awarded a Part One GNVQ (Foundation level), he shall be treated as having achieved grade D to G in two GCSE subjects.

    (4) Where a pupil is awarded an Intermediate GNVQ, he shall be treated as having achieved grade A* to C in four GCSE subjects.

    (5) Where a pupil is awarded a Foundation GNVQ, he shall be treated as having achieved grade D to G in four GCSE subjects.

    (6) Where a pupil is awarded a GNVQ Language Unit (Intermediate level), he shall be treated as having achieved grade A* in half a GCSE subject.

    (7) Where a pupil is awarded a GNVQ Language Unit (Foundation level), he shall be treated as having achieved grade D in half a GCSE subject.

    (8) Where a pupil is awarded a grade in an examination relating to a GCSE short course, he shall be treated as having achieved that grade in half a GCSE subject.

     2.  - (1) In relation to a school to which regulation 4 applies, and for the purposes of that regulation and regulation 6, the average point score for the school achieved by pupils aged 15 in grades in GCSE examinations or in vocational qualifications in relation to any school year shall be ascertained by - 

(a) aggregating the value in points of all such grades or qualifications awarded to every pupil aged 15 by the end of that year, and then

(b) dividing that aggregate by the total number of pupils aged 15.

    (2) Paragraph 3 shall apply for the purposes of determining the value in points of - 

(a) a grade awarded in a GCSE examination, and

(b) the award of a vocational qualification.

    (3) In this paragraph, "pupil aged 15", in relation to a school and to any school year, means - 

(a) for the purposes of setting the targets specified in regulation 4, any person who is in the relevant group of pupils aged 15 (as defined in that regulation); and

(b) for the purposes of the publication of pupils' attainment results under regulation 6, any person who - 


(i) is a registered pupil on the third Thursday in January in that year, and

(ii) attained that age during the period of twelve months ending on the 31st August immediately preceding that day.

     3.  - (1) For the purposes of paragraph 2, the value in points of - 

(a) a grade awarded in a GCSE examination, and

(b) the award of a vocational qualification,

shall be determined as follows.

    (2) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), a GCSE grade shall have the value in points specified in the following table - 

(a) 3.5 points (where it is an Intermediate level Unit), or

(b) 2 points (where it is a Foundation level Unit).

     4. For the purposes of setting the targets specified in regulation 4, any reference in this Schedule to the achievement or award of - 

(a) a grade in a GCSE examination, or

(b) a vocational qualification,

shall be construed as if it were a reference to the award or achievement of a grade or qualification by the end of the school year for which such targets are required to be set by virtue of that regulation.

(a) pupils' attainment results in each of the two school years immediately preceding the relevant school year; and

(b) the performance targets set for - 


(i) the two school years immediately preceding the relevant school year,

(ii) the relevant school year, and

(iii) the school year immediately following the relevant school year.

     2. Where a school's annual report in relation to the relevant school year is published after the end of that year, the school's annual report in relation to the relevant school year shall contain the following information - 

(a) pupils' attainment results in the relevant school year and in each of the two school years immediately preceding that year; and

(b) the performance targets determined for - 


(i) the two school years immediately preceding the relevant school year,

(ii) the relevant school year, and

(iii) the school year immediately following the relevant school year.

     3. In relation to a designated school, paragraphs 1 and 2 shall each have effect as if there were omitted sub-paragraph (b)(iii).


Stephen Byers
Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment

29th June 1998

(a) second key stage pupils in National Curriculum tests (in English and mathematics) (regulation 3), and

(b) pupils aged 15 in GCSE examinations and corresponding vocational qualifications (regulation 4 and Schedule 1).

Once performance targets have been set, they may not subsequently be altered (regulation 5).

Information concerning performance targets and pupils' attainment results will have to be published every year in the governing body's annual report to parents - unless that information relates to a school year in which there were 10 or fewer at the school as regards whom targets were required to be set, or (as the case may be) in the age group for which the relevant tests or examinations are designed (regulation 6 and Schedule 2).