Written question asked by Lord Gove (Conservative) on Wednesday, 2 December 2009, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 7 December 2009. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 on behalf of the Department for Children, Schools and Families.

GCSE and GCE A-level

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many and what percentage of comprehensive schools did not enter any students for (a) physics, (b) chemistry and (c) biology GCSE in the last year for which figures are available.

Answer: Of the 2,741 comprehensive schools published in the 2009 Achievement and Attainment Tables that have at least one pupil on roll at the end of Key Stage 4:"1,296 (47.3 per cent.) entered no pupils for GCSE physics.""1,302 (47.5 per cent.) entered no pupils for GCSE chemistry""1,247 (45.5 per cent.) entered no pupils for GCSE biology"The Government have introduced a statutory entitlement for all pupils in maintained schools¹ to be able to study at least two science GCSEs, specifically this includes core and additional science or the three separate science GCSEs of physics, chemistry and biology."¹ Not including Academies and City Technology Colleges."

Secondary information