§ Mr. Teddy Taylorasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many grammar schools there are in the various areas of Northern Ireland; what is the percentage of selection for such grammar schools: what indications he has of the success of pupils from Northern Ireland secondary schools in external O and A level examinations compared with the rest of the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere are 77 grammar schools in the following education and library board areas:
Number Belfast 18 Western 13 North-Eastern 18 South-Eastern 10 Southern 18 Of the total number of pupils tranferring to secondary education for the 1985–86 school year just over 28 per cent. transferred to grammar schools. Success rates in GCE examinations for Northern Ireland entrants and those in England and Wales can only be compared on the basis of all entrants, including students from further education 608W colleges and those entering privately. The information based on subject entries in the summer 1984 examinations is as follows:
Northern Ireland England Wales GCE O-Level Percentage achieving grades A-C 63.0 57.2 51.3 GCE A-Level Percentage achieving grades A—E 74.2 69.8 71.7