§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of students continued into the sixth-form in the Ribble Valley between 1994 and 2000. [132721]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 26 July 2000]My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State recently launched a major £3 million advertising campaign aimed at encouraging this year's school leavers and others to stay on in some form of learning. The "Don't Quit Now" campaign is particularly aimed at those who left this year with few, if any GCSEs and are in danger of dropping out of education and training. Latest figures show that the numbers of 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training fell by 28,000 from 185,000 in 1998 to 157,000 in 1999.
We are committed to improving participation and attainment rates for 16 and 17-year-olds. The Connexions Strategy sets out a range of existing and new initiatives aimed at achieving this. We have announced details of the new Connexions Service which will provide advice, guidance, information and support for all 13 to 19-year-olds, whatever their needs and circumstances, to keep them learning.
Data on the percentage of students continuing in post-compulsory education at age 16 are not calculated for areas smaller than LEAs. Figures for Lancashire LEA, which covers the area of the former county of Lancashire, are given in the table for the years 1994–95 to 1997–98 (the latest year available):
Participation of 16-year-olds in full-time education, Lancashire LEA, 1994–95 to 1997–98 Percentage of age group 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 School 17 16 16 17 Sixth-form college 10 11 10 11 Other further education 33 39 37 37 Total full-time education 60 65 64 64 Notes:
Totals may not add due to rounding
Source:
Statistical Bulletin 14/99: Participation in education and training by young people aged 16 and 17 in each local area and region, England, 1993–94 to 1997–98