To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what information his Department collects on the proportion of pupils aged 16 to 18 years in (a) further education colleges and (b) school sixth forms from highly deprived groups. (154338)

Information is available using matched administrative data and eligibility for free school meals at age 15 as a proxy for deprivation. Of those 16-18 year olds in further education colleges and maintained school sixth forms in 2005/06, 13 per cent. and 7 per cent. respectively were eligible for and claiming free school meals at age 15.