Heads of private Yorkshire schools question decision to exclude IGCSE from tables
Private school heads criticised the decision which they said gives a misleading impression of the performance of their pupils.
St Peter’s School, in York, is one of the most high profile independent schools and the oldest in the region.
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Hide AdHowever tables published today have it ranked bottom in York because it took international GCSEs which have not registered. The school’s headmaster Leo Winkley said: “The analogy I use is that its like a football league table where all a team’s goals scored outside the box haven’t counted. We should take league tables with a pinch of salt but if the intention is to inform parents about schools then this isn’t working. And if the intention is to straitjacket schools into doing certain qualifications then this will not work because independent schools will simply exercise their independence.”
The Grammar School at Leeds (GSAL) was another of the schools affected. Incoming principal Sue Woodroofe said league tables “do not accurately reflect the academic outcomes for schools choosing this well-established, rigorous qualification”.
She added: “At GSAL, we choose IGCSE courses in subjects including mathematics, science and modern languages. IGCSEs are chosen where we believe it offers the best curriculum for our pupils, the most engaging subject matter, and the best preparation for A-level.”