PRESS RELEASE : New figures show the importance of the English Baccalaureate [July 2011]

The press release issued by the Department for Education on 7 July 2011.

Commenting on today’s publication of statistics showing outcomes for 19-year-olds in England in 2010, Schools Minister Nick Gibb said:

These statistics underline the importance of studying the core academic subjects that make up the English Baccalaureate – young people who achieve good grades in these subjects are more likely to go on to higher education and less likely to be NEET.

Publishing information on EBacc attainment will increase the opportunities for all young people – especially those in disadvantaged areas – to study these vital subjects.

Today’s statistics show that:

Of those who achieved the EBacc:

• 80% were in full-time education at age 19 – 81% of them were in higher education
• 3% were NEET at age 19

Of those who achieved five GCSE passes at A* to C or equivalent including English and maths:

• 67% were in full-time education at age 19 – 67% of them were in higher education
• 5% were NEET at age 19

Of those who achieved five GCSE passes at A* to C or equivalent not including English and maths:

• 61% were in full-time education at age 19 – 60% of them were in higher education
• 6% were NEET at age 19