[holding answer 19 March 2007]: The information requested is shown in the table.
Number of pupils3 Percentage who achieved 5+ A*-C grades including English and Mathematics 15-year-olds 1996/974 586,766 35.6 1997/98 575,210 37.0 1998/99 580,972 38.6 1999/2000 580,393 40.0 2000/01 603,318 40.7 2001/02 606,554 42.1 2002/03 622,122 41.9 2003/045 643,560 42.6 2004/05 636,771 44.3 2005/06 648,942 45.3 Pupils at End Key Stage 4 2004/05 633,414 44.9 2005/06 645,931 245.8 1 Including attempts and achievement in previous academic years. 2 Figures for 2005/06 are revised from those published previously following checking with schools, all other figures are final. 3 Number of pupils on roll aged 15 at the start of the academic year or from 2004/05 end of Key Stage 4 figures or the number of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in that academic year. 4 Percentages from 1996/97 include GCSEs and GNVQs. 5 Percentages from 2003/04 include GCSEs and other equivalent qualifications approved for use pre-16.