To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what effect biological differences between boys and girls have on their respective attainment (a) in literacy and (b) overall, with reference to the answer of 15 October 2007, Official Report, columns 870-71W, on education: gender. (170298)

[holding answer 3 December 2007]: As stated in the reply given on 15 October 2007, Official Report, column 870W, the reasons for girls’ better attainment in literacy and indeed overall are complex, but appear mainly related to biological differences, differences in maturation, and differences in attitudes to learning and reading at different ages. The Department is unable to estimate the differential impact of these factors, but the research evidence is summarised in chapter 14 of the previously cited paper “Gender and education: the evidence on pupils in England”.