§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate he has made of
115Wthe average extra cost faced by a school intending to offer the International Baccalaureate examination system. [127884]
§ Alan JohnsonThe International Baccalaureate is already approved under section 96 of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 and schools are free to offer the qualification if they wish. We have made no estimate of the additional costs to a school offering this qualification. The funding arrangements for post-16 learning, including school sixth forms, are the operational responsibility of the Learning and Skills Council. I have asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member about the funding they provide to institutions that offer the International Baccalaureate and a copy of his letter will be placed in the Library.
§ Mr. Damian GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many schools in England offer the International Baccalaureate to the students; [127886]
(2) how many pupils took the International Baccalaureate in England in each year since 1997. [127887]
§ Alan JohnsonThe information on International Baccalaureates in England is as follows:
Number of institutions Academic year Schools FE Colleges Number of pupils 1996/97 12 7 504 1997/98 16 7 521 1998/99 16 7 618 1999/2000 15 6 553 2000/01 15 6 655 2001/02 21 6 854