To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what his estimate is of the number of children attending school or college courses as direct result of the September Guarantee in (a) England and (b) Coventry. (321412)

[holding answer 11 March 2010]: The Department for Children Schools and Families publishes annual estimates of the number of 16 and 17 year olds participating in education and work based learning in each local authority.

Figures for (a) England and (b) Coventry are shown in the following table.

England figures for 2009 and local authority figures for 2008 are due to be published in June 2010.

The September Guarantee aims to ensure that all 16 and 17 year olds are offered a suitable place in learning. Statistics show that record numbers of young people are now participating in learning. This is enabling them to build the skills they need to make a successful transition to sustainable employment.