Academic year 2020/21

A level and other 16 to 18 results

Attainment and retention data for A level and other qualifications by age 16-18 in England. Includes region, institution type, characteristics, and subject.

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• Produced by: Department for Education
• Published: 4 November 2021
• Last updated: 26 May 2022

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• Featured tables

  Featured tables are pre-prepared tables created from a statistical release's data sets. They provide statistics that are regularly requested by users and can be adapted to switch between different categories.

• Data sets: download or create tables

  Data sets present comprehensive open data from which users can create their own tables using the EES table tool or download a zipped CSV file.

• Supporting files

  Supporting files provide an area for teams to supply non-standard files for download by users where required.

• Data guidance

  Description of the data sets included in this release, including information on data sources, coverage, quality and any data conventions used.

• Data catalogue

  Alternatively use our data catalogue to search and filter for specific data sets from this release or our entire library, providing full data summaries, data previews and access to API data sets.

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Featured tables

Featured tables are pre-prepared tables created from a statistical release's data sets. They provide statistics that are regularly requested by some users (such as local councils, regional government or government policy teams) and can be adapted to switch between different categories (such as different geographies, time periods or characteristics where available).

18 featured tables

• Maths progress by prior attainment

  Maths progress for students who didn't achieve grade 4 or higher at Key Stage 4, broken down by prior attainment (2019/20 and 2020/21)

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• Headline retention by disadvantage status and ethnicity

  Headline retention by disadvantage status and ethnicity between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• Headline retention by disadvantage status and SEN provision

  Headline retention by disadvantage status and SEN provision between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• Headline retention by disadvantage status and prior attainment

  Headline retention by disadvantage status and prior attainment between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• Headline retention by disadvantage status and first language

  Headline retention by disadvantage status and first language between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• Retained and retained and assessed measures by institution

  Retained and retained and assessed measures for all exam cohorts by institution type for 2020/21

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• Headline retention by disadvantage status and gender

  Headline retention by disadvantage status and gender between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• English progress by prior attainment (historical)

  English progress for students who didn't achieve grade 4 or higher at Key Stage 4, broken down by prior attainment (2018/19)

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• Attainment: average point score and result by SEN provision

  Average point score and result for all students in each level 3 cohort by SEN provision.

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• English and maths progress - summary time series

  English and maths progress - a summary of the main performance indicators over the last three years.

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• Maths progress by prior attainment (historical)

  Maths progress for students who didn't achieve grade 4 or higher at Key Stage 4, broken down by prior attainment (2018/19)

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• Attainment: average point score and result by first language

  Average point score and result for all students in each level 3 cohort by first language

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• Headline retention by exam cohort and institution type

  Headline retention by exam cohort and institution type between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• Maths - below level 3 entries

  Maths - below level 3 entries

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• Headline retention by exam cohort and gender

  Headline retention by exam cohort and gender between 2018/19 and 2020/21

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• English - below level 3 entries

  English - below level 3 entries

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• Attainment: average point score and result by ethnicity

  Gives the average point score and result for all students in each level 3 cohort by ethnicity

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• English progress by prior attainment

  English progress for students who didn't achieve grade 4 or higher at Key Stage 4, broken down by prior attainment (2019/20 and 2020/21)

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Data sets: download or create tables

Data sets present comprehensive open data from which users can create their own tables using the EES table tool or download a zipped CSV file.

29 data sets available for download

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• Retention - institution type and gender

  National

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by institution type and student gender.

  • Number of rows: 541
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
    • Gender
    • Institution type
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Retention - region

  Local authority, Regional

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by region or local authority.

  • Number of rows: 2,376
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Retention - student characteristics

  National

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language, KS4 prior attainment and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 646
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Retention - student characteristics and disadvantage status

  National

  Retention metrics for all qualification cohorts, by a combination of disadvantage status and other student characteristics. Other student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, free school meal provision, first language, KS4 prior attainment and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 1,261
  • Indicators:
    • % retained
    • % retained and assessed
    • % returned and retained for a second year
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Characteristic disadvantage
    • Cohort
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Retention - prior attainment as a percentage of cohort

  National

  Retention metrics, by prior attainment as a percentage of each exam cohort.

  • Number of rows: 61
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percentage of students
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
    • Prior attainment
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
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• Retention - institution type and prior attainment as a percentage of cohort

  National

  Retention metrics, by institution type and prior attainment as a percentage of each exam cohort.

  • Number of rows: 181
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percentage of students
  • Filters:
    • Cohort
    • Institution type
    • Prior attainment
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Retention - headlines

  National

  Headline retention metrics for use in publication

  • Number of rows: 2
  • Indicators:
    • A level retention rate
    • Applied general retention rate
    • Tech level retention rate
  • Time period: 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths progress - prior attainment (historical data)

  National

  English and maths progress (2018/19), by prior attainment points and points at end of 16-18 study.

  • Number of rows: 27
  • Indicators:
    • All students inc. no entry
    • Average progress
    • Percent achieving grade 4 or above
  • Filters:
    • Prior attainment points
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Attainment and other performance measures - student characteristics

  National

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 121
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries and Results - A level by institution type and gender (end of 16-18 study)

  National

  A level grades achieved, by institution type and student gender. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 154
  • Indicators:
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
    • Number at grade B.
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths - below level 3 entries

  National

  Entries and passes for below level 3 English and maths, by qualification type and student gender. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 247
  • Indicators:
    • Number of entries
    • Number of passes
    • Percent achieving a pass
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Attainment and other performance measures - institution type and gender

  National

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by institution type and student gender.

  • Number of rows: 154
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries and Results - A level and AS by institution type and gender (single academic year)

  National

  A level and AS level entries by grade achieved, institution type and student gender. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 307
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution
    • Qualification
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths progress - student characteristics

  National

  English and maths progress, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 241
  • Indicators:
    • Average progress
    • Number of students
    • Percent achieving grade 4 or above
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries - vocational qualifications by subject and student characteristics (single academic year)

  National

  Vocational qualification entries, by Ofqual subject area and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 13,681
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Exam cohort
    • Ofqual subject area
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Grade combinations - A level by student characteristics

  National

  A level grade combinations achieved, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 121
  • Indicators:
    • A*/A*/ A* or better
    • A*/A*/A or better
    • A*/A/A or better
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries and Results - A level by region and subject (end of 16-18 study)

  Local authority, Regional

  A level grades achieved, by subject and region or local authority. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 50,987
  • Indicators:
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
    • Number at grade B.
  • Filters:
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Attainment and other performance measures - region and student characteristics

  Local authority, Regional

  Attainment metrics for all qualification cohorts, by region or local authority and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 18,565
  • Indicators:
    • % achieving 3 A* to A
    • % achieving ≥ 2 A levels
    • % achieving ≥ 2 academic results
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries and Results - A level and AS by region and subject (single academic year)

  Local authority, Regional

  A level and AS level entries by grade achieved, subject and region or local authority Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 100,701
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
  • Filters:
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths progress - institution type and gender

  National

  English and maths progress, by institution type and student gender.

  • Number of rows: 307
  • Indicators:
    • Average progress
    • Number of students
    • Percent achieving grade 4 or above
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution type
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries and Results - A level and AS by subject and student characteristics (single academic year)

  National

  A level and AS level entries by grade achieved, subject and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision. Includes entries in the current exam year for 16-18 students, after discounting. Includes pending awards.

  • Number of rows: 25,441
  • Indicators:
    • Exam entries
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Qualification
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Maths and science entries - time series by student characteristics

  National

  Time line of STEM subject entries, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 481
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percent entered for 1 or more STEM subjects
    • Percent entered for 2 or more STEM subjects
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
  • Time period: 2009/10 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths progress - years of study

  National

  English and maths progress, by number of years allocated in 16-18 study.

  • Number of rows: 25
  • Indicators:
    • Average progress
    • Number of students
    • Percent achieving grade 4 or above
  • Filters:
    • Duration of 16-18 study
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths progress - prior attainment

  National

  English and maths progress (last two years - 2019/20 and 2020/21), by prior attainment points and points at end of 16-18 study.

  • Number of rows: 61
  • Indicators:
    • All students inc. no entry
    • Average progress
    • Percent achieving grade 4 or above
  • Filters:
    • Prior attainment points
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2019/20 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• English and maths - Level 3 maths attainment by institution type and gender

  National

  Level 3 maths attainment, by institution type and student gender.

  • Number of rows: 154
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percent of students achieving a Level 3 maths qualification
  • Filters:
    • Gender
    • Institution type
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Maths and science entries - subject combinations and student characteristics

  National

  Number of students entered for combinations of STEM A levels during 16-18 study, by student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision.

  • Number of rows: 29,761
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Combination of STEM subject A levels entered
  • Time period: 2009/10 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries and Results - A level by subject and student characteristics (end of 16-18 study)

  National

  A level grades achieved, by subject and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 12,721
  • Indicators:
    • Number at grade A*.
    • Number at grade A.
    • Number at grade B.
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Subject
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Entries - vocational qualifications by subject and student characteristics (end of 16-18 study)

  National

  Vocational qualification entries, by Ofqual subject area and student characteristics. Student characteristics include gender, ethnicity, disadvantage status, free school meal provision, first language and SEN provision. Includes students triggered for inclusion in performance tables who completed A levels during 16-18 study, after discounting of exams.

  • Number of rows: 13,681
  • Indicators:
    • Total number of students
  • Filters:
    • Characteristic
    • Exam cohort
    • Ofqual subject area
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

• Maths and science entries - percent entered by region and gender

  Local authority, Regional

  Percent of A level students entered for STEM subjects, by region or local authority and student gender.

  • Number of rows: 1,426
  • Indicators:
    • Number of students
    • Percent entered for biology
    • Percent entered for chemistry
  • Filters:
    • Gender
  • Time period: 2018/19 to 2020/21

  Data set information page
  Create table

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Supporting files

Supporting files provide an area for teams to supply non-standard files for download by users where required.

4 supporting data files

• KS5 Transition matrices

  Transition matrices data used for visualising the progress of pupils aged 16 to 18 from key stage 4 (KS4) to key stage 5 (KS5).

  Download (csv, 899 Kb)

• KS5 Transition matrices notes

  Instructions to accompany the transition matrices data

  Download (docx, 35 Kb)

• English and maths progress measure qualification lists (2020/21)

  A list of qualifications that count towards the English and maths progress measure in the 2021 16 to 18 performance tables.

  Download (xlsx, 337 Kb)

• English and maths progress measure qualification lists (2020/21) - metadata

  The underlying metadata to accompany the list of qualifications that count towards the English and maths progress measure in the 2021 16 to 18 performance tables.

  Download (csv, 983 Kb)

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Data guidance

Description of the data sets included in this release, including information on data sources, coverage, quality and any data conventions used.

Description

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Coverage

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File formats and conventions

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Contact us

If you have a specific enquiry about A level and other 16 to 18 results statistics and data:

Attainment statistics team

Email: Attainment.STATISTICS@education.gov.uk
Contact name: John Shale

Press office

If you have a media enquiry:

Telephone: 020 7783 8300

Public enquiries

If you have a general enquiry about the Department for Education (DfE) or education:

Phone: 0370 000 2288

Opening times

Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 5.30pm (closed on bank holidays)