Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Tuesday, 9 February 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 February 2010. It was answered by Lord Coaker (Labour) on Thursday, 25 March 2010 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 pupils eligible for free school meals were entered for GCSEs in (a) biology and chemistry but not physics, (b) biology and physics but not chemistry, (c) physics and chemistry but not biology and (d) physics, chemistry and biology in (i) 1997 and (ii) the most recent year for which figures are available.

Answer: [holding answer 22 February 2010]: Of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2009, in maintained schools, eligible for free school meals:"41 were entered for biology and chemistry but not physics GCSEs,""11 were entered for biology and physics but not chemistry GCSEs,""8 were entered for physics and chemistry but not biology GCSEs, and""2,911 were entered for physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs."Comparable figures for 1997 can be provided only at disproportionate cost.Of pupils at the end of Key Stage 4 in 2005, in maintained schools, eligible for free school meals:"60 were entered for biology and chemistry but not physics GCSEs,""12 were entered for biology and physics but not chemistry GCSEs,""6 were entered for physics and chemistry but not biology GCSEs, and""1,296 were entered for physics, chemistry and biology GCSEs."

Secondary information