Schools minister: Fall in pupils studying languages at GCSE worrying

Nick Gibb, schools minister, says it is worrying that the number of pupils taking languages is falling:

"Today we can congratulate thousands of young people as they collect their GCSE results and celebrate the culmination of five years of secondary education. No-one should underestimate the hard work and application needed to gain GCSE qualifications.

"But we have to make sure we prepare young people for the future, whether they are going onto further education, training or into the workplace.

"While it is encouraging to see the rising uptake in maths and single sciences, it is worrying that once again there are falling numbers studying languages. Through the English Baccalaureate, we want to make sure all pupils have the chance to study the core academic subjects which universities and employers demand."