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6 An increase in the proportion of 16-year-olds with at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C, and in all schools at least 20 per cent to reach this standard by 2004, rising to 25 per cent by 2006 (England).
Baseline and trends: Baseline year –1997. The proportion of 16-year-olds with at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C has risen from 45.1 per cent in 1997 to 58.5 per cent in 2006. The number of schools achieving below a floor target of 20 per cent or 25 per cent has also been steadily declining since the baseline year of 1997.
Percentage of 16-year-olds with at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C (England)

| Baseline 1997 |
1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Below 20% | 361 | 325 | 277 | 241 | 196 | 157 | 112 | 72 | 40 | 15 |
| Below 25% | 616 | 553 | 487 | 436 | 369 | 294 | 224 | 186 | 110 | 47 |
| * For 2004 and 2005 only, results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a wide range of other approved pre-16 qualifications. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only. Figures for 2006 have seen slight revisions since OFA 8 was last published. |
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Definition: Percentage of 16-year-olds (at the end of the academic year) with at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C or equivalents in all schools in England.
Data source: GCSE and equivalent examination results as collected for the School and College Achievement and Attainment tables.
Research Evidence
“Estimating The Relationship Between School Resources and Pupil Attainment At GCSE”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR727.pdf
“Schools’ Use of Data in Teaching and Learning”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR671.pdf
“Raising Boys’ Achievement”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR636.pdf
“Study Support Survey 2004”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR591.pdf
"London Challenge: Surveys of Pupils and Teachers 2005"
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR718.pdf
“Parental Involvement in Children‘s Education”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR589.pdf
“The impact of parental involvement, Parental Support and Family Education on Pupil Achievement and Adjustment”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/RR433.pdf
“Ethnicity and Education: The Evidence on Minority Ethnic Pupils aged 5-16”
www.dcsf.gov.uk/research/data/uploadfiles/0208-2006DOM-EN.pdf
For a breakdown of the proportion of 16-year-olds at the end of KS4 with at least five GCSEs at grades A*–C1 (England) see the table below:
| Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 57.5 |
| Mixed | 56.1 |
| Indian | 71.7 |
| Pakistani | 51.4 |
| Bangladeshi | 56.6 |
| Other Asian | 64.6 |
| Black Caribbean | 44.9 |
| Black African | 51.0 |
| Other Black | 47.1 |
| Chinese | 80.0 |
| Other | 56.3 |
- GCSE and equivalent at Grades A*–C
Source: DfES. 2006

