§ Mr. George OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children in care went to university in each of the last five years: and how many completed their course in each year. [147331]
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§ Margaret HodgeThe Department for Education and Skills collects data from local authorities about accommodation and activity of children and young people in their nineteenth year, who were recently looked after by local authorities. This data collection was introduced for the first time in 2002℃03. The collection specifically records the number of young people who were in education, training or employment at age 19 and of those, the number involved in higher education. It does not identify which are at university or those in other age groups.
In 2002–03, of the 4,900 young people in the cohort, 2,400 were in education, training or employment on their nineteenth birthday. Of these, 280 were in higher education (6 per cent. of children). This figure includes those studying for degrees, diplomas in higher education, teaching and nursing qualifications. Data is not available on how many completed their courses.