Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Tuesday, 28 June 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 30 June 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Monday, 4 July 2005 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Mathematics

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students entered as candidates for mathematics (a) at GCSE or O-level and (b) A-level in each of the last 30 years.
Answer

The following table shows the information readily available on the number of entries for mathematics at O-level or GCSE and A-level for each year between 1975 and 2004.

O-level entries, GCSE candidates and A-level entries for mathematics in all schools and further education sector colleges, 1975–2004
O-level entries A-level entries
1975 309,901 69,759
1976 325,727 73,682
1977 352,727 70,606
1978 357,418 73,281
1979 381,424 79,412
1980 395,254 80,881
1981 413,822 87,446
1982 433,164 91,550
1983 440,917 92,858
1984 444,639 90,688
1985 452,778 87,682
1986 — —
1987 — —
1988 — —
GCSE candidates A-level entries
1989 528,580 —
1990 490,260 —
1991 471,410 —
1992 460,391 66,395
1993 452,773 62,616
1994 479,084 60,607
1995 522,290 58,796
1996 537,759 62,181
1997 533,992 64,209
1998 526,882 64,435
1999 536,779 63,584
2000 539,934 60,808
2001 563,852 61,305
2002 568,851 50,421
2003 585,017 51,426
2004 605,980 53,530
Notes: A-levels: 1. Figures from 1974/75 to 1976/77 are for England and Wales, summer examinations. 2. Figures from 1977/78 to 1984/85 are for England, summer examinations. 3. Figures from 1985/86 to 1990/91 are unavailable as these data were not supplied by the awarding bodies to the Department. 4. Figures from 1990/91 onwards relate to schools and colleges in England. 5. 2004 figures are revised. All other figures are finalised. GCSEs: 1. Figures from 1974/75 to 1987/88 are taken from the School Leavers Survey, and include school leavers of any age from all schools except special schools. 2. Figures from 1985/86 to 1987/88 are combined for O-level and CSE and are not therefore comparable. 3. Figures from 1988/89 to 1990/91 are taken from the School Examinations Survey, and are based on 15-year-old pupils in all schools except special schools. 4. Figures from 1991/92 to 2003/04 are taken from the database on School Achievement and Attainment Tables, and are based on 15-year-old pupils in all schools including special schools. 5. Figures from 1974/75 to 1984/85 are for O-level entries. Figures from 1988/89 to 2003/04 are for GCSE candidates. 6. 2004 figures are revised. All other figures are finalised.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
8719; 436 c164-5W
Session
2005-06
Subjects
GCSE Mathematics GCE A-level