§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what comparison he has made of the relative performance of pupils studying GCSEs and A-levels in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom. [15028]
§ Mr. AncramAnnual comparisons are made between pupil performance in Northern Ireland and England and Wales. Latest available comparison shows 87 per cent. of A-level pupils in Northern Ireland achieving at least two A-levels compared with 81 per cent. in England and 76 per cent. in Wales, and 51 per cent. of Northern Ireland pupils achieving five or more good GCSE grades compared with 44 per cent. in England and 41 per cent. in Wales.