CONTINUITY OF SCHOOL EFFECTS - A LONGITUDINAL ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY ANDSECONDARY-SCHOOL EFFECTS ON GCSE PERFORMANCE

Multilevel analyses of students' GCSE examination results (taken at ag e 16) are used to investigate both primary and secondary school effect s on students' total performance scores and the issue of continuity of schools' effects over time. Follow-up data for the Inner London Educa tion Authority's Junior School Project sample, including attainment at secondary transfer (age 11) and at GCSE and details concerning studen ts' background characteristics are analysed. Significant school effect s at both primary and secondary level and small but significant contin uing effects of primary schools on later GCSE attainment are identifie d. The theoretical and practical significance of the results are discu ssed.