Figures show no improvement in education of children in care

New figures have revealed that only 8 per cent of looked after
children aged 16 achieved 5 GCSE’s or equivalent at grades A-C in
the 12 months up to the end of September 2002.

The figures, which are unchanged from 2001, cast uncertainty
over the government’s target to increase by 4 per cent every year
from 2002-2006 the number of children in care who obtain
qualifications “equivalent to five GCSEs graded
A-C”.

The target is one of a range of measures designed to narrow the
gap between the educational attainment and participation of
children in care and their peers by 2006.

However, the number of looked after children obtaining at least
one GCSE or GNVQ, rose from 50 to 53 per cent during the same
period. The number of children in care in year 11 remaining in full
time education rose from 53 per cent to 56 per cent.