§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage and how many children (i) sat and (ii) obtained grades A to C for the first time in(a) maths and (b) English language GCSE in England in the latest year for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement. [17155]
§ Mrs. Gillan[holding answer 24 February 1997]: The information is not available in the precise form requested. However, the following table shows the number and percentage of 15-year-old pupils who attempted GCSE and achieved grades A* to C in (1) mathematics and (2) English in England in 1994–95.
Mathematics English Number attempted (thousands) 522.3 524.3 Number attempted as a percentage of 15-year-old pupils 90 91 Number achieved grades A* to C (thousands) 232.5 291.4 Number achieved grades A* to C as a percentage of 15-year-old pupils 40 50