Examination Results

HC Deb 14 November 1988 vol 140 cc384-5W

Mr. Straw

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of pupils in maintained schools obtained five or more GCE O levels in each year since 1970–71.

Mr. Kenneth Baker

The percentage of leavers from maintained schools who obtained five or more higher grades at O-level or CSE grade 1 in are as follows:

School Leavers—England3
	Percentage
1970–71	18.1
1971–72	17.7
1972–73	128.6
1973–74	16.9
1974–75	216.2
1975–76	16.2
1976–77	20.4
1977–78	20.5
1978–79	20.6
1979–80	20.9
1980–81	21.8
1981–82	23.0
1982–83	23.3
1983–84	23.8
1984–85	23.7
1985–86	23.6
1986–87	23.2

Note:

¹ The Statistics for 1972–73 are affected by the raising of the minimum school leaving age.

² Prior to 1974–75 O-level examinations were graded pass or fail, and the statistics exclude CSE grade 1.

³ Prior to 1977–78, figures include information relating to schools in England and Wales.