More entries and better results for GCSE pupils
Today’s GCSE results show a rise in the number of entries and the biggest rise since 1999 in the number of pupils achieving A*- C grades.
59.2 per cent of grades are now at A*- C, 1.1 per cent up from last year. The overall pass rate though has remained stable at 97.6 per cent.
Girls are still doing better than boys, though the difference has narrowed slightly.
Commenting on the results, School Standards Minister David Miliband, said: “Today’s results are excellent and reflect the hard work of pupils and teachers. More pupils have taken GCSEs and more pupils are doing well.
“It is encouraging that more pupils are taking maths and gaining good grades. This mirrors the rise in maths in this week’s results for 14 year olds. I know that many employers have expressed concern about maths so I hope they will work with us to build on this year’s results.
“It is also good to see more pupils taking science. Entries for chemistry, physics and biology are all up, for both boys and girls.
“Boys are catching up but there is still work to be done. We will carry on with our programmes like Playing for Success, the successful after school sport study clubs programme, to bridge the gap. I know schools are working hard to help boys do better each year.”
The good results were also welcomed by the major teaching unions, with the NASUWT saying they provided “no basis for churlish nitpicking”. Acting general secretary, Chris Keates said the he hoped for once commentators “allow the pupils and teachers to enjoy the fruits of their labour.”
The CBI, whilst not carping at the high achievers, said it was increasingly concerned about the number of children getting “left behind”.
Director general Digby Jones pointed out that only 51 per cent of boys and 53 per cent of girls achieved a C grade in GCSEs maths, with 53 per cent and 61.7 per cent respectively obtaining grade Cs at GCSE English.
Calling for a concerted push on literacy and numeracy, he said: “How can school-leavers hope to succeed in the modern world of work if they cannot read and write? The education system is letting down the taxpayer as too many young people come out of school thinking a positive attitude to work is for others.
“The Government must focus its effort on low achievers, particularly in literacy and numeracy. Progress at secondary level on this is an absolute scandal.”
