§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will list, for the most recent year for which information is available, the(a) first degree subjects studied and (b) first degree classifications achieved by those completing PGCEs in mathematics; and if he will make a statement. [154928]
§ Mr. MilibandInformation on the first-degree subjects studied by students on Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) courses is not collected centrally. However, all candidates training to teach secondary school pupils in England must, by law, demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of their subject at a standard equivalent to degree level before Qualified Teacher Status may be awarded.
Of those candidates who successfully completed PGCE courses in mathematics in 2001/02, the latest year for which data are available, and whose first-degree classification is known, 10 per cent. held First-class Honours; 31 per cent. Upper Second-class Honours; 37 per cent. Lower Second-class Honours; and 13 per cent. Third-class Honours. A further 8 per cent. held Ordinary degrees.