2010 11+ Results for Bucks Schools

[ian35mm]

I think you'll find a high correlation between success at 11+ and the primary school's catchment area's ACORN classification. Read into that, what you will, but I think it tends to support MrsChubbs arguement.

[Sally-Anne]

Overall there are definitely close correlations between the ACORN classification of an area and the 11+ results - research commissioned by BCC proved that with, for example, the poorest children in Aylesbury Vale having a qualification rate of less than 5%. However there are also some glaring mismatches as well.

[svg123]

What is ACORN classification?

[ian35mm]

I do hate it when BCC spend huge amounts of money on research that I've already done!

Mismatches often have area specific explanations, (often do do with travelling out of catchment), but the general pattern holds true.

[Guest55]

Ian - only BCC have pupil level data for each school in the county and can also use UPNs to track pupil movement between schools.

Without these details any analysis will not tell the full story in sufficient detail to be statistically valid.

[ian35mm]

Actually, as I was researching this field for a postgraduate degree, I found the primary schools and BCC very accomodating when it came to providing me with data.

[Sally-Anne]

What is ACORN classification?

ACORN is a geodemographic segmentation of the UK’s population which segments small neighbourhoods, postcodes, or consumer households into 5 categories, 17 groups and 56 types.

In a nutshell it is a commonly used method of assessing how rich or poor people are in a given area. It is used by businesses, sociologists, educationalists, etc.

[ian35mm]

Yep, although I only fall into 2 of the catagories S-A gives as examples.

[Guest55]

ACORN assumes all homes in a postcode house people of equal wealth so it doesn't tell the full story.

[ian35mm]

No, of course it doesn't.

No measure gives 100% accurate information, but it's an extremely effective tool, which is why it's used.

Show me evidence based research which shows I'm wrong.

It's interesting to compare the patterns in Bucks with other counties, but frankly there's very little to be gained for me to try to compress six months work into a forum-friendly sound bite.

Most people will only believe what they want to believe anyway.

Dissapointing though that is!