To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what proportion of children received five A* to C GCSE grades in each year since 1996, not including (a) GNVQs and (b) other qualifications previously included as equivalent to GCSEs. (119030)

[holding answer 6 February 2007]: The following table shows the number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils¹ who obtained five or more grades A*-C at GCSE only² and GCSE and equivalent³ (excluding GNVQs).

¹ Pupils aged 15 at the beginning of the academic year i.e. 31 August.

² Includes full GCSEs and GCSE short courses.

³ These other qualifications are not the same as GCSEs. Not all approved qualifications are exactly the same, but they can be measured and accredited on a common scale, which gives point scores according to their different challenges and different breadth. The value of a qualification will depend entirely on the young person’s needs and aspirations and the context for their learning.

Since 2004 the secondary (key stage 4) tables have reported results of GCSEs and equivalences. Equivalences are the full range of qualifications approved for use under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000. Prior to 2004, GNVQs were the only equivalent qualifications that were reported.