Written question asked by Nick Gibb (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 December 2008. It was answered by Lord Knight of Weymouth (Labour) on Thursday, 22 January 2009 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

Science: GCSE

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what proportion of pupils eligible to receive free school meals attained a GCSE in (a) physics, (b) chemistry and (c) biology at grade A* in the latest year for which figures are available.

Answer

The table shows the number and percentage of pupils achieving grade A* in Physics, Chemistry and Biology by eligibility of free school meals in 2008 as a proportion of pupils at the end of KS4.

	Non-FSM	FSM	Total
	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
Physics	9,727	1.9	173	0.2	9,900	1.7
Chemistry	9,982	1.9	217	0.3	10,199	1.7
Biology	9,174	1.8	173	0.2	9,347	1.6

The number and percentage of pupils achieving grade A* as a proportion of the total number of entries.

	Non-FSM	FSM	Total
	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage	Number	Percentage
Physics	9,727	19.2	173	8.3	9,900	18.8
Chemistry	9,982	19.6	217	10.2	10,199	19.2
Biology	9,174	16.5	173	6.4	9,347	16.0
Note:
Data is provisional and subject to change. The data also relates to pupils at the end of KS4 in maintained schools only.
Source: National Pupil Database

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 486 c1708-9W; 243852
Session: 2008-09
Subjects: Science GCSE
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Science: GCSE

Secondary information

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