§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many Key Stage 4 pupils there are in schools for which the National Curriculum is currently disapplied. [94733]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Government are keen to encourage work-related learning at Key Stage 4. Under s363 of the Education Act 1996, two subjects can be disapplied to allow pupils to spend time in further education and work experience. 8,985 pupils followed this route last year. This year's figures are not yet available. This figure does not include pupils with special educational needs or those in the six schools which have applied under s362 of the 1996 Education Act to disapply all or part of the National Curriculum more generally.