The information for 2009 and 1997 is as follows:
Number of candidates achieving three or more A grades at GCE/Applied GCE A-level and Double Awards Percentage of candidates achieving three or more A grades at GCE/Applied GCE A-level and Double Awards Comprehensive schools1 9,600 8.0 All maintained schools2 15,300 10.4 Independent schools3 11,400 31.9 All schools 26,700 14.6
Number of candidates achieving three or more A grades at GCE A-level Percentage of candidates achieving three or more A grades at GCE A-level Comprehensive schools1 4,300 4.7 All maintained schools2 6,400 5.9 Independent schools3 6,100 16.9 All schools 15,500 6.7 1 Includes city technology colleges and academies. 2 Includes the results for community and foundation special schools, hospital schools and pupil referral units. 3 Includes non-maintained special schools. Notes: 1. Figures relate to 16 to 18-year-olds (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August). 2. 2009 Figures are provisional. 3. Applied A-levels and Double Awards did not exist in 1997.
The 2009 information is derived from table 1 of the “GCE/Applied GCE A/AS and Equivalent Examination Results in England, 2008/09” Statistical First Release, found at the following link:
http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000881/index.shtml
Figures for 1997 are derived from the Achievement and Attainment Tables data.