Record GCSE results again
SCHOOL pupils smashed the record for GSCE results again with one in five exams being awarded top grades.
As 600,000 teenagers collect their results today, figures show that nearly a fifth - 19.5 per cent - of all exams scored A or A* grades.
The proportion of entries awarded these top grades went up from 19.1 per cent to a record 19.5 per cent this year.
But there was a slump in the overall pass rate, with the proportions scoring at least a grade G falling by 0.1 per cent to 98 per cent this year.
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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE GCSE RESULTS IN FULL[>
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There was also a decrease in the numbers of pupils taking French and German.
Exam entries in German were down 10.2% from last year to just 81,000, while French fell 8.2%.
The slump follows the Government’s controversial decision to make studying a modern foreign language optional for pupils after the age of 14 and continues the downward trend of recent years.
History also showed a decline in exam entries, down 1.6%, but subjects including media studies, business, and statistics increased sharply.
Overall, 63.3% of exams were awarded A to C grades, up from 62.4% last year.
Results in both English and Maths improved slightly, with more pupils scoring at least a grade C in these two key subjects than last year.
And there were also increases in the numbers studying science subjects.
Officials hailed the improvement in English and maths results as evidence of rising standards in literacy and numeracy among 16-year-olds.
Jim Sinclair, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications, which released the national results, said: “The improvement in the GCSE results this year is testament both to effective teaching and the dedication and hard work of students.
“There are positive signs overall, with increased entries in mathematics and science, and the performance in all subject areas improving.”
Across the UK, about 750,000 candidates were opening their results, and will use their grades to decide whether they stay on at school to do A-levels or another course, or quit education to find work.[>
