"Interesting figures based on Jan-Dec 2010. Sad to see that Glasgow East topped the list but with Birmingham, Hodge Hill coming second, Glasgow East and Bradford West joint third, Derby South 5th and Liverpool Walton 6th it seems to indicate that the problem lies in poorer city areas being left behind. Needless to say better off areas in the UK fared much , much better. I think the education I had was pretty good, passing the quali with a good mark but once in Albert I felt the system there favoured the kids in the top ML classes. The big thing on our days at school was the discipline, probably too much we'd say but we mostly learned respect. There are so many 'rules' 'conditions' as to how to handle children in school nowadays that discipline has declined because of it. It may be no wonder so many children have left school without Qualifications... the report doesn't give reasons why....could be kids either don't want them or are getting jobs without them. I had none when I left school at just turned 15 and did okay. Could be too much emphasis is based on a piece of paper. To me that only tells you an exam has been passed not what the person is like. Thanks to Harry for highlighting the report sadly some reports don't always tell the whole story. Harry I had to smile at the deliberate spelling...I went on auto pilot correcting it...my son is Dyslexic and through habit since he was a boy I immediately looked at the spelling...just hope my fingers have hit the correct keys. BTW thought I'd missed out on education certificates and did a whole lot of stuff in my late 30's and got lots of bits of paper, did I need them, no at all,lol. Bunty"