Line graphs
Analyse variations in activity and attainment over time by qualification, subject, pupil type and school type.
View data
Use the button below to copy the data for pasting into a spreadsheet or other application.
Download as an image
Click on the button below to download the graph as a PNG image file. You are free to use this for any purpose providing that you retain the "www.SEEdash.org" attribution.
Please read the guidance notes below, and be sure to provide any relevant clarifications when presenting the data outside the context of this website.
Link to this graph
http://www.seedash.org/
Use this to share your graph with others, link to it from another web page or simply save the current settings for future reference.
Embed this graph
Embed SVG code
To include the graph in any web page as an SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) image, copy and paste the code below. SVG often provides sharper images than PNG.
Place the <div>...</div>
code in your web page wherever you would like the graph to appear.
The <link>
element provides an accompanying stylesheet and should be placed in the <head>
section of your web page.
Embed JavaScript code
The JavaScript code below will draw the graph on your web page in a way that retains certain type of interactivity (eg, in graphs with multiple lines, users will be able to click on the legends to hide or show individual data sets).
Place the <div>
element in your web page wherever you would like the graph to appear.
Put the <script>
tags and their contents anywhere below this in the page. (It's common to put them at the end of the page, just before the closing </body>
tag.)
Guidance
This page allows you to explore the relative popularity and attainment levels achieved in a wide variety of subjects at Key Stage 4 and at 16-18. Here are a few simple examples that explore relative subject popularity at GCSE and A-level:
- Declining entry rates in GCSE Design & Technology exam entries but recent resurgence in IT
- A comparison of GCSE Maths, English, Core Science and Physics
- Declining entry rates in GCSE modern languages
- A comparison of STEM subject popularity at A-level
- A comparison of technical subjects at A-level
Important notes:
- Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the data presented here, but we cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions however caused. If any of the information is important to you then please verify it independently.
- Point scores are calculated using the DfE's scoring systems for GCSE and A/AS-levels. Other qualifications are not currently calculated.
- In line with DfE rules, certain small values have been rounded in order to protect student anonymity. This makes little difference to most analyses, but may sometimes result in anomalies where very low numbers are involved.
- The abrupt dip in GCSE English entries in 2014 seems to be caused by an anomaly in the source data; other years appear correct. Other smaller discontinuities, such as those seen in A-level Art & Design, D&T Production Design and D&T Food Technology appear to be results of the phasing in or out of particular versions of these qualifications.
- With the introduction of the new 'linear' A-level system that was taught in schools from September 2015, we had anticipated a fall in AS-level entries as some students choose not to enter AS-levels in favour of being externally examined only at A-level. This appears to have been borne out in summer 2016 AS-level subject entries, although we can't be certain to what degree this was responsible for the observed reduction in AS-level entries across the board.
The 'Subject combinations' tab above contains a companion page that allows you to explore GCSE and A-level subject combinations. Please refer to the notes on that page for further information.