To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what proportion of 16-year-olds who had been in custody for more than one year was entered for GCSE examinations in each year since 1997; and what proportion gained five A* to C grades at GCSE in each such year. (301603)

Data from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) show that in the 2006/07 academic year, there were 163 enrolments in GCSEs by under 18-year-olds in HM Prison Service Young Offender Institutions. Of these, 18 resulted in grades A* to C and 50 resulted in grades below C. In the 2007/08 academic year, there were 207 enrolments in GCSEs. Of these, seven resulted in grades A* to C, 57 resulted in grades below C and there were 52 GCSE courses still to be completed.

The data above include only achievements that were secured by young people who took the examination while they were in custody. Those who were released before the examination date may have continued study and taken examinations in the community. Some young people in Young Offender Institutions are still registered at schools and colleges in the community and therefore any GCSEs that they achieve while in custody will be reflected in the achievement figures of their respective school or college.

HM Prison Service Young Offender Institutions make up part of the custodial estate for under 18s and achievements of GCSEs in Secure Children's Homes, Secure Training Centres, or private prisons are not recorded centrally.