Further Education

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of year 11 pupils (a) entitled to and (b) not entitled to free school meals who achieved at least five GCSEs at grades A* to C, including English and mathematics in (i) 2004, (ii) 2005 and (iii) 2006, achieved a level 3 qualification within two years of completing their GCSEs; and if he will make a statement. (280172)

The information requested is shown in the following table. The higher progression rate to Level 3 at 18 among those not eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) who had gained at least five GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English and Maths, is partly a reflection of their higher average attainment in year 11 compared with their counterparts who were FSM eligible in year 11.

*Number and proportion year 11 pupils gaining at least five GCSEs at A*-C in year 11 including English and Maths who gain level 3 within two years, by eligibility for free school meals*
	Level 3 at 18¹
	Number	Percentage	Base²
Entitled to free school meals³
2004	9,800	65.8	14,800
2005	9,200	64.4	14,300
2006	8,500	64.6	13,100
Not entitled to free school meals³
2004	183,300	76.7	238,900
2005	178,000	76.6	232,300
2006	171,800	77.4	221,900
¹ Level 3 within two years of year 11 (e.g. 2006 for 2004 year 11 cohort). ² The base is total number gaining five or more GCSEs grades A-C in year 11 including English and Maths. ³ Based on eligibility for free school meals in year 11 for those in maintained provision only ) as eligibility for free school meals in year 11 is not available for the independent sector). Source:* Matched Administrative Dataset.

Volume 495: debated on Tuesday 30 June 2009