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2 July 2008 : Column 986W—continued

Secondary Education: Colchester

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what discussions he has had with Essex County Council on secondary school provision in Colchester constituency in the last month; and if he will make a statement. [214757]

Jim Knight: My officials have not had any further discussions with Essex county council, on secondary school provision in Colchester since 22 May. In my response to the hon. Member’s letter to the Secretary of State on 4 June, regarding Alderman Blaxill School and Thomas Lord Audley College, I stated that the local authority was looking at the practicalities of a federation of these two schools along with Stanway School, with the possibility of an overarching trust. As I understand it, there has been no change in this position since then. Ultimately, decisions on school organisation are for local authorities.

Secondary Education: Islington

Jeremy Corbyn: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many students in the London borough of Islington completed year 11 secondary education with (a) five or more A*-C GCSEs, (b) fewer than five GCSEs and (c) no secondary education qualifications in each of the last five years. [214615]

Jim Knight: The information required is given as follows:

GCSE and equivalent attainment in Islington, London and England in 2003 - 07
	Number of 15-year-old pupils	Number gaining 5+ GCSEs at grades A*-C	Percentage gaining 5+ GCSEs A*-C
2003
Islington	1,317	509	38.6
London	70,809	35,889	50.7
England	572,040	292,438	51.1
2004
Islington	1,411	649	46.0
London	73,397	38,864	53.0
England	590,096	307,046	52.0
2005
Islington	1,369	604	44.1
London	72,921	40,296	55.3
England	583,265	319,481	54.8
2006
Islington	1,468	680	46.3
London	74,201	43,036	58.0
England	593,061	339,289	57.2
2007
Islington	1,479	722	48.8
London	74,395	45,024	60.5
England	599,403	358,477	59.8

	Number of 15-year-old pupils	Number gaining fewer than 5 GCSEs	Percentage gaining fewer than 5 GCSEs
2003
Islington	1,317	209	15.9
London	70,809	7,347	10.4
England	572,040	60,554	10.6
2004
Islington	1,411	214	15.2
London	73,397	7,366	10.0
England	590,096	61,060	10.3
2005
Islington	1,369	200	14.6
London	72,921	6,930	9.5
England	583,265	58,966	10.1
2006
Islington	1,468	209	14.2
London	74,201	6,820	9.2
England	593,061	57,335	9.7
2007
Islington	1,479	204	13.8
London	74,395	6,285	8.4
England	599,403	53,343	8.9

2 July 2008 : Column 987W

	Number of 15-year-old pupils	Number achieving no GCSEs	Percentage achieving no GCSEs
2003
Islington	1,317	67	5.1
London	70,809	3,281	4.6
England	572,040	28,718	5.0
2004
Islington	1,411	62	4.4
London	73,397	2,674	3.6
England	590,096	22,474	3.8
2005
Islington	1,369	60	4.4
London	72,921	2,335	3.2
England	583,265	20,180	3.5
2006
Islington	1,468	71	4.8
London	74,201	2,183	2.9
England	593,061	17,799	3.0
2007
Islington	1,479	62	4.2
London	74,395	1,835	2.5
England	599,403	15,419	2.6
Notes: 1. Figures relate to 15-year-olds (age at start of academic year, i.e. 31 August) in all maintained schools (including academies and CTCs). 2. Figures include equivalencies.

Student Loans Company: Manpower

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how many people are employed by the Student Loans Company in (a) Colwyn Bay and (b) Rhyl. [214601]

Bill Rammell: I have been asked to reply.

The Student Loans Company has 29 staff at its office in Colwyn Bay. It does not have an office in Rhyl.

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