§ 10. Dr. PughTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress the Government have made towards their target of 50 per cent. of young people entering higher education. [40728]
§ Margaret HodgeWe are making excellent progress towards meeting our ambitious but realistic target of participation in HE. The target is informed by our analysis of labour market needs over the next decade and by our determination to ensure opportunity for all throughout the education system.
§ Dr. LadymanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the proportion of students from secondary modern schools who went on to higher education in each of the last three years. [40740]
§ Margaret HodgeInformation on the number of pupils from secondary modern schools who go on to HE is not held centrally.
The available information, showing the previous type of educational institution of students accepted for entry to full-time undergraduate courses, is shown in the table. However, not all students who enter HE do so directly after they have left full-time education at 18; some spend a period in employment before returning to study, and others take a gap year to broaden their experience. Around a third of young people enter full-time higher education by the age of 20, including those who enter at ages 18, 19, and 20.
§ Mr. Ivan LewisWe have no plans to replace the current structure in England with a single board.
§ 17. Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the operation of exam boards. [40736]
1211W
§ Mr. Ivan LewisMillions of examination papers are taken by students in England and Wales each year. It is a massive and complex task to set and manage this number of exams—and a task that the awarding bodies generally perform to a high standard.