HL Deb 02 November 1976 vol 376 cc1248-50WA
Viscount FURNESS

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of school leavers in each of the last 10 years undertook, whether completed or not, a full-time course of study at university or equivalent professional level.

and also:

What percentage of school leavers in each of the last 10 years:—

  1. (a) gained 2 or more GCE A-Levels;
  2. (b)gained 1 GCE A-Level;
  3. (c)gained 5 or more GCE O-Levels;
  4. (d)gained 1 to 4 GCE O-Levels or CSE (grade I) passes;
  5. (e)gained the CSE in Grades 2–5 in more than 4 subjects;
  6. (f)gained the CSE in Grades 2–5 in 1–3 subjects;
  7. (g)left school with no formal academic qualification.

Lord DONALDSON of KINGSBRIDGE

For each of the last ten years the percentage of school leavers in England and Wales by examination achievement, and the percentage who planned to under-take a full-time degree course was as follows:—

Percentage of school leavers
Qualifications on leaving 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973(3) 1974 1975
2 more GCE A-level pass 10. 9 11.8 12.2 12.1 12.5 13.2 12.6 19.7 12.2 12.2
1 GCE A-level pass 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.4 3.4 3.6 3.5 5.5 3.3 3.2
5 or more GCE O-level passes(1) 8.3 8.1 8.1 8.2 8.4 8.0 8.6 13.8 8.9 8.5
1–4 GCE O-level passes(1) 15.8 16.8 17.1 18.2 19.1 18.7 19.1 32.0 24.4 25.4
5 or more CSE (Grade 2–5)(2) 62.2 60.4 59.6 11.0 6.7 7.3 7.9 13.3 30.2 31.1
1-4 CSE (Grade 2-5)(2) 5.1 4.8 4.9 8.2
No qualification(2) 47.0 44.9 44.5 43.4 7.6 21.0 19.5
Leaves planning to take a full-time degree course 6.7 7.0 7.3 7.2 6.9 7.3 7.0 10.7 7.0 7.1
(1) Including CSE Grade 1 but excluding those with A-level passes.
(2)Separate figures not readily available for years 1966–1968.
(3)Percentages affected by raising of minimum school leaving age.

House adjourned at a quarter before midnight.