Attainment at age 16 by borough
Key points
- The proportion of 16-year-olds getting fewer than five GCSEs has decreased in most London boroughs since 1997.
- The boroughs with the lowest proportion of 16-year-olds getting fewer than five GCSEs are in East London (Redbridge, Havering and Newham).
- Newham is doing well despite its high proportion of children in households receiving key out-of-work benefits (40% compared to 28% on average in London).
The proportion of 16-year-olds not getting five GCSEs, over time
This page considers GCSE attainment by 16-year-olds. We look at the proportion of pupils attaining fewer than five GCSEs of any grade. This is different from the usual 'headline' five GCSEs at grades A* to C and is used here to focus attention on progress among children with the lowest levels of educational attainment. As well as GCSEs themselves, we also include qualifications deemed to be 'GCSE equivalents', such as GNVQs
What does this graph show?
The proportion of 16-year-olds getting fewer than five GCSEs has decreased in most London boroughs. No borough now has more than 15% of 16-year-olds with fewer than five GCSEs. This is in stark contrast to 1997–2000, when eight boroughs were in this position (Haringey, Islington, Southwark, Greenwich, Wandsworth, Hackney, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea).
In fact the improvements in Hackney, Westminster and Kensington & Chelsea are such that they are no longer among the lowest performing 25% of boroughs.
The three boroughs with the lowest proportion of 16-year-olds getting fewer than five GCSEs are in a cluster in East London (Redbridge, Havering and Newham) while others (Bexley and Waltham Forest) are doing nearly as well. Newham stands out here because of its high proportion of children in households receiving key out-of-work benefits (40% compared to 28% on average in London).
There is some consistency across the graphs for 11-year-olds and 16-year-olds. Four of the five boroughs with the highest proportion of pupils not attaining the relevant standard (Greenwich, Haringey, Islington and Southwark) are the same for both age groups.
Additional Information
These figures can change significantly from year-to-year. If for instance, a large school improves its results in a short space of time, or a poor performing school closes, the overall performance of its borough will improve. Also, given that this is based on the location of the school, not the residence of the pupil, moves across borough boundaries could affect results.
Data used
DCSF Performance Tables
Figures only include pupils attending state-funded schools.
Indicator last updated: 18 May 2009
Related case studies
Case study: Zara
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Other indicators in 16-24 year olds
- Attainment at age 16 by region
- Free school meals and attainment at age 16
- Not in education employment or training - 'NEETs'
Other indicators in Bexley
Other indicators in Greenwich
Other indicators in Hackney
- Child poverty
- Working-age adults lacking work by borough
- Attainment at age 11 by borough
- Premature death by borough
Other indicators in Haringey
Other indicators in Havering
Other indicators in Islington
- Child poverty
- Income inequalities within London boroughs
- Adult ill-health by borough
- Premature death by region
- Low-paid residents by borough
- New homeless households by borough
- Premature death by borough
Other indicators in Kensington and Chelsea
- Child poverty
- Income inequalities within London boroughs
- Pay inequalities within London
- Premature death by region
- Overcrowding by borough
- Premature death by borough
Other indicators in Newham
- Child poverty
- Income inequalities within London boroughs
- Pay inequalities within London
- Working-age adults lacking work by borough
- Infant deaths by borough
- Adult ill-health by borough
- Premature death by region
- Low-paid residents by borough
- Low-paid jobs by borough
- Attainment at age 11 by borough
- Premature death by borough
Other indicators in Redbridge
Other indicators in Southwark
Other indicators in Waltham Forest
- Child poverty
- Low-paid residents by borough
- Low-paid jobs by borough
- New homeless households by borough
Other indicators in Wandsworth
Other indicators in Westminster
- Child poverty
- Working-age adults lacking work by borough
- Low-paid jobs by borough
- Overcrowding by borough
View all indicators
Glossary
Outer London:
Barking & Dagenham, Barnet, Bromley, Bexley, Brent, Croydon, Ealing, Enfield, Greenwich, Harrow, Havering, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Merton, Redbridge, Richmond upon Thames, Sutton, Waltham Forest
Inner London:
Camden, Hackney, Hammersmith & Fulham, Haringey, Islington, Kensington & Chelsea, Lambeth, Lewisham, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth, Westminster
Key out-of-work benefits:
Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support (IS), Incapacity Benefit (IB), Severe Disablement Allowance, Carer's Allowance. Disability Living Allowance is not a key out-of-work benefit as it is available to people who may be in work and is not means-tested.