HL Deb 14 January 1991 vol 524 cc73-4WA
Baroness David

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many young people over the age for compulsory schooling have chosen to remain at school for 1990–91 and what percentage of this figure are likely to complete their studies.

Baroness Blatch

The available information is given below:

Propoition of young people remaining at school beyond the minimum school leaving age, United Kingdom 1988–89
Age at 31st August 1988 Pupil numbers Percentage of population
16 297,088 36.3
17 185,053 21.1
18 23,804 2.7
16–18 505,945 19.7
19–20 3,244 0.2

Source: Education Statistics for the United Kingdom.

Information from the England and Wales "Youth Cohort Study" indicates that some 90 per cent. of those staying on in school to embark on an A-level course complete their study. The corresponding rate for those staying on to do other courses is 79 per cent.