The Independent Schools Council is a politically independent, not-for-profit organisation representing 1,270 independent schools educating more than 500,000 children. It exists to promote choice, diversity and excellence in education, developing talent at all levels of ability and from all backgrounds.

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IAPS reveals prep schools' KS2 results for 2005

12 September 2005

The Incorporated Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS), one of the member associations of ISC, has today released the results in the 2005 Key Stage 2 tests taken by those of its member schools that entered pupils. QCA data has confirmed that over 250 schools, just less than half the schools in membership, used the tests.

Commenting on the results, the Chairman of IAPS, Mike Beale, Headmaster of Craigclowan School 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. Well over 90% of the pupils achieved Level 4 and above in English, Maths and Science with over 50% obtaining Level 5.

"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. Tests do not provide a true reflection of all that is on offer in prep schools. The wider excellence that is a characteristic of IAPS schools is typically based on specialist teaching and facilities, small teaching groups, good discipline, and very often an important spiritual dimension. The resulting high educational standards and breadth provide the all-round excellence that is at the heart of IAPS schools."

Other key findings from the results demonstrate that,

Girls continue to outperform boys in English but the gap is less wide than in the maintained sector.

The gender differences in Maths and Science are marginal. This is consistent with the maintained sector.

Boys are marginally ahead in Maths at level 5, which is also consistent with maintained schools.

Both boys and girls have better results than the national statistics at all levels with the differentials ranging from 11% to 31%.

Boys' results at level 4 and above for English, Reading and Writing are at least 17% better than the national figures which is a wider gap than for girls.

At level 5 the girls' results for English, Maths and Science are at least 28% better than the national figures whilst the boys are at least 25% better