Tories slam 'A-level wealth divide'

Figures released by the Tories show that in some of the poorest areas of the country the numbers of pupils attempting A-levels are well below the national average.

Around 300,000 pupils take A-level exams nationally each year.

Shadow schools minister Nick Gibb said it "simply isn't good enough" that there remains a wide divide between rich and poor.

The data, an analysis of 2007 A-level entries compared to 2005 GCSE entries by local authority, showed that in eleven areas less than a quarter of children take A-levels.

In Sandwell, in the West Midlands, 3,647 pupils were entered for GCSEs in 2004/05 but only 364 were entered for A-levels two years later. It means 10.53% were entered for the higher qualification. And in Knowsley, 11.57% were entered for A-levels. In contrast, 575 pupils were entered for GCSEs in Kensington and Chelsea, with 1,112 entered for A-levels. This may be because more pupils came into the borough at 16 to take A-levels, the Tories said.

Mr Gibb said: "People will be shocked to see that there are areas of the country where fewer than one in eight children sit A-levels. As ever, it is the poorest areas that are worst affected. It is a scandal that in some of the most deprived parts of the country there are more children under 18 not in education, employment or training than there are studying for top academic qualifications.

"It simply isn't good enough that the educational divide between rich and poor is so wide. We want to follow the successful Swedish model of reform to make schools accountable to parents. Giving parents more control will help to improve opportunities for children, particularly those from deprived backgrounds."

Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "This back of a fag packet maths adds nothing to the picture on A-levels and completely ignores the fact that many youngsters travel between boroughs to do their A-levels, do other qualifications or work-based training or apprenticeships.

"For example, according to these flawed figures, Kensington and Chelsea apparently has 193% of their pupils studying A-levels. All this shows is that some boroughs have lots of pupils travelling to do their A-levels, which is very common. Rather than painting a picture of doom and gloom the Tories should be preparing to congratulate pupils on their hard work."