The Norrington Table, which ranked undergraduate colleges by their students’ degree results, has been discontinued by the Conference of Colleges on the grounds that it is not fit for purpose.
A spokesperson for the Conference of Colleges told Cherwell: “It was judged that the Norrington Table does not encapsulate the added value given by college teaching. Nor does it relate to differences at the level of specific degree courses.”
Senior tutors made the decision in Hilary Term 2024 in consultation with all colleges. Student representatives were also present at relevant meetings of the Senior Tutors’ Committee.
The Norrington score was developed by former President of Trinity College Sir Arthur Norrington in the 1960s, as a way of measuring the performance of the students at each college in their finals. The Student Union’s College Disparities Report, published earlier this year, finds a direct correlation between college wealth and high positions in the Norrington Table.
Expressed as a percentage, it was calculated by attaching scores to each classification of undergraduate degree (5 for a first, 3 for an upper second, 2 for a lower second, 1 for a third, and 0 for a pass), and then dividing the total college score by the highest possible college score.
The last Norrington Table to be published was for the 2021/22 academic year. The top three colleges were Merton College (80.9%), Lincoln College (80.7%), and Harris Manchester College (77.7%). The bottom three were Lady Margaret Hall (69.7%), Jesus College (68.5%), and Exeter College (68.0%).
However, the vast majority of colleges occupied a different position in the table when the results from the 2019/20 and 2021/22 academic years were collated – for example, Balliol, Brasenose, and Christ Church came first, second, and third respectively.
Regarding the system which will replace the Norrington Table, Conference of Colleges spokesperson told Cherwell: Discussions on future examination data are still ongoing. It is intended that the raw data on examination performance by college will still be made available.”
The Oxford University webpage for the Norrington Table draws attention to the drawbacks of the system: “The score represents absolute performance not adjusted for any variations in student background or prior academic achievement, and so does not necessarily represent progress made while on course.
“The score is based on students who are members of a College, not on students receiving their teaching from that college. Students are typically taught by tutors from several colleges, as well as receiving teaching from their department or faculty.”
