HC Deb 14 January 1980 vol 976 c569W
Mr. Jim Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what percentage of the 16 to 18-year-old age groups is currently continuing in full-time education; and how this figure compares with those of 1976–77, 1977–78 and 1978–79.

Dr. Boyson

The percentage of those aged 16—over school leaving age—to 18

West Yorkshire Greater Manchester
January 16 years 17 years 16 years 17 years
1974 … … 20.6 16.5 17.8 14.1
1975 … … 21.3 16.3 18.1 14.2
1976 … … 22.1 17.1 19.3 15.0
1977 … … 22.4 16.8 18.1 14.9
1978 … … 21.8 17.1 19.5 15.5
1979 (provisional) … … 22.7 17.2 19.5 15.9
Note:Numbers of pupils aged 16 and 17 years in January as percentages of the relevant numbers aged 14 years two and three years earlier respectively. The 16 year age group excludes pupils with birthdays in September to December who were therefore under the school leaving age.