PRESS RELEASE

As despatched 18 August 2006

Religious Studies now a top A level choice, says Catholic Education Service

The numbers of pupils taking Religious Studies as an A Level has shot up 101 per cent* in a decade says the Catholic Education Service.*

Just over 18,000 students took Religious Studies for A Level in 2006, as compared to 9,000 in 1996.

Oona Stannard, the Chief Executive of the Catholic Education Service said: “Again, we see a growth in the percentage of pupils studying advanced level Religious Studies. It is wonderful to see that the high number of students choosing Religious Studies at GCSE is giving them the enthusiasm to continue the subject at A level. The excellent results are a marker of how students are fascinated by the highly relevant subject matter”.

Speaking of other results, Ms Stannard said: “I am pleased that we see success across all types of our schools and colleges. The important thing is that whether from favoured or disadvantaged circumstances, our students have been well taught and supported to give of their best. The results are a clear indication of the quality of the students and their educational experience in the Catholic sector.”

Loreto Sixth Form College in Manchester achieved a 99 per cent pass rate at A-Level, despite the fact pupils are accepted to study A’Level or Advanced Level Vocational Courses with a minimum of four C grades at GCSE. Located between two of the most deprived wards in England, Loreto College this year received a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Further and Higher Education for providing ‘educational provision in an urban context’ and ‘raising achievement and aspiration’. Principal Ann Clynch said: “It’s been a great year for Loreto, especially receiving the Queen’s award. I’m delighted that we have been able to build on our successes of previous years.”

News of the results coincided with the release of new listings of the top state schools in Britain. According to the Independent newspaper, four out of the top 10 comprehensive schools are Roman Catholic.

ENDS

 For more information please contact Laura McCann, Policy and Briefing Officer: 0207 901 4854 lmccann@cesew.org.uk, w. www.cesew.org.uk.

Notes to Editors

• Statistics taken from the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham.
• In the same period, numbers of students taking Computing A Level decreased by 41.8 per cent from 10,967 pupils in 1996 to 6,223 pupils taking the subject in 2006.