HC Deb 18 December 1986 vol 107 cc662-3W
Mr. Greenway

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will detail the percentage of pupils gaining (a) five or more O level passes grades A to C, grade 1 CSE and (b) two or more A levels in (i) comprehensive, (ii) grammar, (iii) secondary modern and (iv) independent schools in 1956, 1966, 1976 and 1986 respectively; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Dunn

Statistics for 1960–61, 1965–66, 1975–76 and 1984–85 are as follows. Data prior to 1960–61 are not available on a consistent basis and 1985–86 figures are not yet available.

School leavers, England1
Percentage of leavers with
Academic year and type of school 5 or more higher2 3 grade passes at GCE O-level or CSE 2 or more A-level passes
1960–61
Comprehensive4 10.9 2.3
Grammar 53.2 23.6
Secondary modern and all age 0.6
Independent 61.0 30.5
All schools 15.3 6.5
1965–66
Comprehensive 11.6 5.4
Grammar 63.7 35.4
Secondary modern and all age 2.0 0.1
Independent 68.2 40.7
All schools 20.8 10.9
1975–76
Comprehensive 17.5 8.8
Grammar 69.7 44.6
Secondary modern 5.4 0.5
Independent 73.3 53.8
All schools 22.9 12.8
1984–85
Comprehensive 22.7 10.5
Grammar 78.0 47.9
Secondary modern 9.6 1.1
Independent 75.8 58.8
All schools 26.9 14.1
1 England and Wales for 1960–61 and 1965–66.
2 O-level only for 1960–61 and 1965–66.

3 For 1975–76 and 1984–85 O-level grades A-C, CSE grade 1. For 1960–61 and 1965–66, O-level pass.

4 Includes technical, bilateral, multilateral and comprehensive schools and secondary schools which were not separately classified.