§ John MannTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children left school with no academic qualifications in coalfield areas in each year since 1997; and how this compares with the national average. [82247]
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§ Mr. MilibandThe information requested is given in the table:
Percentage of 15 year old pupils attaining no passes at GCSE/GNVQ 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 Coalfields—maintained Schools 5.9 6.1 6.2 7.2 8.7 England—maintained schools 5.1 5.0 5.5 6.1 7.3 England—all schools 5.5 5.6 6.0 6.6 7.7 Note:
The definition of a coalfield area taken from the coalfields task force report, June 1998, is: a ward where 10 per cent, of resident males in employment at the time of the 1981 census of population were engaged in the energy and water sector. In these areas, this sector overwhelmingly comprises coalmining.