Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what proportion of pupils at key stage five were studying a foreign language in 2010.

The percentage of pupils[1] at the end of key stage 4 entering a modern foreign language[2] in state-funded schools[3] in England for 2009/10 was 42.6%. The percentage of pupils between the ages 16-18 eligible for reporting in performance tables, who entered A level exams a modern foreign language in state-funded schools and colleges[4] in England at the end of key stage 5 for 2009/10 was 7.5%.[5]

[1] Includes attempts and achievements by these pupils in previous academic years.

[2] For key stage 4 entries are those counted as part of the language element in the English Baccalaureate. For key stage 5, A level languages include: French, German, Spanish, Chinese, Italian, Polish, Russian, Other.

[3] State-funded schools include academies, free schools, city technology colleges, further education colleges with provision for 14 to 16 year-olds and state-funded special schools. They exclude independent schools, independent special schools, non-maintained special schools, pupil referral units and alternative provision. Alternative provision includes academy and free school alternative provision.

[4] Covers all state-funded mainstream schools, academies, free schools, city technology colleges, state-funded special schools and FE sector colleges. Excludes pupil referral units, alternative provision, hospital schools, non-maintained special schools, other government department funded colleges, independent schools, independent special schools and independent schools approved to take pupils with special educational needs.

[5] Comparisons over time should be treated with caution due to issues such as changes in methodology over time, and subject reform.