GCSE

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils in (a) comprehensive and (b) independent schools were entered for GCSE examinations in (i) physics, (ii) biology, (iii) chemistry, (iv) history, (v) geography, (vi) mathematics, (vii) English and (viii) English literature in the most recent year for which figures are available. (314907)

[holding answer 2 February 2010]: The information required is given in the following table:

*Number of pupils entered for GCSEs in selected subjects in comprehensive and independent schools in 2009*
	Comprehensive school	Independent school
Selected subject	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
Physics	53,532	10.3	15,028	31.0
Biological Sciences	56,884	11.0	16,435	33.9
Chemistry	53,654	10.3	15,671	32.4
History	155,610	30.0	23,248	48.0
Geography	132,109	25.4	21,636	44.7
Mathematics	510,220	98.3	27,664	57.1
English	503,383	97.0	41,347	85.4
English Literature	405,303	78.1	36,839	76.1
Source: Achievement and Attainment Tables.

The data relate to pupils at the end of key stage 4.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many pupils achieved at least five GCSE grades at A* to C in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside, (c) the North East and (d) England in each year since 1997. (321113)

The information requested is given in the following table:

*JarrowSouth TynesideNorth-eastEngland*
	Number of pupils^{1, 2}	Percentage of pupils gaining 5+ A-C*³	Number of pupils^{1, 2}	Percentage of pupils gaining 5+ A-C*³	Number of pupils^{1, 2}	Percentage of pupils gaining 5+ A-C*³	Number of pupils^{1, 2}	Percentage of pupils gaining 5+ A-C*³
1997	962	38.8	1,873	35.7	31,234	36.8	537,661	42.5
1998	937	38.1	1,820	36.9	30,433	37.1	527,538	43.8
1999	951	41.5	1,826	39.9	30,629	39.4	533,730	45.7
2000	948	39.9	1,839	39.3	30,473	41.7	534,343	47.0
2001	1,056	42.3	2,020	39.1	31,826	42.5	554,506	47.9
2002	1,055	42.7	2,142	42.2	31,712	44.3	558,002	49.5
2003	1,060	40.6	2,054	43.5	32,045	46.8	572,040	51.1
2004	1,029	45.3	2,020	45.1	32,409	48.7	590,096	52.0
2005	948	52.4	1,933	51.7	31,007	53.6	582,876	55.0
2006	986	56.0	2,003	55.5	31,679	57.4	592,485	57.5
2007	1,081	60.4	2,096	59.3	32,570	60.6	598,767	60.1
2008	997	66.3	1,954	64.9	32,112	66.5	595,806	64.6
2009⁴	980	76.3	1,914	77.5	30,671	72.8	576,430	70.0
¹ From 2006 figures are for pupils at the end of key stage 4. Prior to 2006 results are based on pupils aged 15. ² Includes pupils attending all maintained schools (including academies and city technology colleges) and from 2000 does not include pupils recently arrived from overseas. ³ From 2004 results incorporate GCSEs, GNVQs and a range of other qualifications approved pre-16. Prior to 2004 results are based on GCSEs and GNVQs only. ⁴ Revised data. Source: School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables.

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils did not obtain at least one GCSE at Grade C or above, excluding equivalents, in each (a) constituency and (b) local education authority in 2009. (321665)

[holding answer 11 March 2010]: The information requested for pupils attending maintained schools (including special schools, city technology colleges and academies) has been placed in the House Libraries.

Volume 507: debated on Monday 15 March 2010