§ Mr. Gibb:To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills in how many schools fewer than 20 per cent. of pupils achieved (a) qualifications equivalent to five GCSEs at grade A* to C and (b) five GCSEs at grades A* to C in each year between 1996 and 2002; and what his estimate is for each year from 2003 to 2006. [142989]
§ Mr. Miliband:The number of schools with fewer than 20 per cent. of pupils who achieved five or more grades A* -C at GCSE and GNVQ combined is:
Academic year Number of schools with less than 20 per cent. Of pupils achieving 5 + A* -C at GCSE/GNVQ 19961 384 1997 361 1998 325 1999 277 2000 241 2001 196 2002 157 1 1996 figures includes GCSE results only, GNVQs commenced in 1997. The number of schools with fewer than 20 per cent. Of pupils who achieved five or more grades A*—C at GCSE only is:
Academic year Number of schools with less than 20 per cent. Of pupils achieving 5+ A* -C at GCSE only 19961 384 1997 368 1998 339 1999 312 2000 279 2001 245 2002 240 1 1996 figures includes GCSE results only, GNVQs commenced in 1997. The number of schools where fewer than 20 per cent. of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at grade A* to C or the equivalent has dropped significantly year-on-year since 1996, and we are confident the efforts of pupils, schools and LEAs mean that this trend will continue. Through increasing use of contextualised pupil-level data, our Advisers are working closely with schools and LEAs to ensure that every pupil's chances of exam success are maximised. This work has a particular focus on narrowing the attainment gap between the lowest performing schools and the highest.