Ethnicity and Performance

DfE: GCSE and Equivalent Attainment by Pupil Characteristics in England, 2009/10 
This Statistical First Release (SFR) provides 2009/10 information on attainment for GCSE and equivalent results by different pupil characteristics, specifically gender, ethnicity, English as a first language, eligibility for free school meals (FSM), special educational needs (SEN) and Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), at National and LA level. It shows:
            * Girls continue to outperform boys - 58.6 per cent of girls in the maintained sector achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs compared to 51.1 per cent of boys.
            * Chinese pupils are the highest attaining ethnic group, with 75.1 per cent achieving 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs.
            * 55.2 per cent of pupils whose first language is English achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs, compared to 52.0 per cent of pupils for whom English is not a first language.
            * 30.9 per cent of pupils eligible for FSM achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs, compared to 58.5 per cent of pupils not known to be eligible for FSM.
            * The proportion of pupils with SEN without a statement achieving achieved 5 or more A*-C grades at GCSE or equivalent including English and mathematics GCSEs is 22.6 per cent, compared to 7.3 per cent of pupils with SEN with a statement, and 66.2 per cent of pupils with no identified SEN.
            * Pupils resident in the least deprived areas, as defined by the Income Deprivation Affecting Children Index (IDACI), continue to outperform pupils in the most deprived areas.
‘Race’ and ethnicity continue to be major factors influencing children’s and adults’ experiences of education at all levels and in a variety of respects. These include...