It's cool to learn at IAPS schools

8 September 2006

IAPS (the Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools), one of the member associations of ISC, has today released the results in the 2006 Key Stage 2 tests taken by those of its member schools that entered pupils. QCA data has confirmed that 210 schools, 37% the schools in membership, used the tests.

Commenting on the results, the IAPS General Secretary, John Morris, said: "Once again the aggregate Key Stage 2 (KS2) results for IAPS schools are excellent. The results show that our schools continue to add value and outperform maintained schools by a considerable margin. Over 90% of the pupils achieved Level 4 and above in all the disciplines (English, Maths, Reading, Writing & Science) and around two-thirds obtained Level 5 in English, Maths and Science.

"Although girls outperform boys in everything except Maths, at IAPS schools the differences at Level 4 are marginal. The gap between girls' and boys' performance is much narrower than in the maintained sector, perhaps reflecting the fact that it is 'cool to learn' in prep schools."

"While IAPS is delighted with the results and congratulates those children sitting the KS2 tests, we are opposed to league tables of schools based on the narrow criterion of test results. One of the great virtues of prep schools is the breadth of their educational provision, both curricular and non-curricular." 

Other findings include:

65% (2005 - 54%) attained Level 5 at English in IAPS schools and in Maths the percentage reaching the level became 66% (2005 - 59%.)

At Level 4 IAPS schools' performance is better by at least 12% than the aggregate national figures, and in some subject areas considerably higher.

At Level 5, results in English, Maths and Science in IAPS schools are 30% and more above the national figures.