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Another rise in top GCSE grades Another rise in top GCSE grades
(about 1 hour later)
Top grades have improved again on average in the GCSE exam entries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Top grades have improved again on average in the GCSE exam entries across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
More than 600,000 students have been getting results, almost one in five of which were an A* or A - up 0.4 percentage point to 19.5%.More than 600,000 students have been getting results, almost one in five of which were an A* or A - up 0.4 percentage point to 19.5%.
The proportion of entries getting grades of A* to C rose from 62.4% to 63.3%, a rise of 0.9.The proportion of entries getting grades of A* to C rose from 62.4% to 63.3%, a rise of 0.9.
The gender gap narrowed, but with girls still ahead. There were more science entries but fewer in French and German.The gender gap narrowed, but with girls still ahead. There were more science entries but fewer in French and German.
A head teachers' leader accused businesses of failing to signal languages as a priority in order to make them an attractive option for youngsters. A head teachers' leader accused businesses of failing to signal languages as a priority in order to make them an attractive option for youngsters - which industry leaders denied.
He also repeated what the government's Dearing Review into the decline of language study said - that the subjects were graded more harshly than other GCSEs, so students tended to avoid them.
However, there was a 3% increase in the number of entries for Spanish and other modern languages as a whole - these include such things as Chinese, Arabic and Polish - were up 5%.However, there was a 3% increase in the number of entries for Spanish and other modern languages as a whole - these include such things as Chinese, Arabic and Polish - were up 5%.
There was a tiny fall in the overall pass rate - entries marked from A* to G - from 98.1% to 98% in the statistics published by the Joint Council for Qualifications - the umbrella group for all the main examination boards. class="bodl" href="/1/hi/education/6960432.stm">Row over languages
The statistics were published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) - representing the main examination boards.
HAVE YOUR SAY Congratulations to all those getting their GCSE results Steve Oglesby, Redcar Send us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY Congratulations to all those getting their GCSE results Steve Oglesby, Redcar Send us your comments
At its news briefing, the director general of the AQA board, Mike Cresswell, said: "Are all the usual suspects going to crawl out of the woodwork and berate us for making the exams harder this year?"
The total number of full course GCSE entries rose a little to just over 5.8 million.The total number of full course GCSE entries rose a little to just over 5.8 million.
About 70% of those were taken by 16-year-olds, with 14% taken by those aged under 16, 11% by those aged 16 to 18 and 5% by students aged over 18 - of whom there were some 50,000.About 70% of those were taken by 16-year-olds, with 14% taken by those aged under 16, 11% by those aged 16 to 18 and 5% by students aged over 18 - of whom there were some 50,000.
The proportion of entries achieving A* to A rose from 19.1% to 19.5%.
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.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.
In English, the proportion being graded from A* to C went up from 61.6% to 62.2%. For maths, the proportion rose from 54.3% to 55.2%.In English, the proportion being graded from A* to C went up from 61.6% to 62.2%. For maths, the proportion rose from 54.3% to 55.2%.
Analysts had said schools in England in particular had been under pressure to improve in maths. The government had said its priority was to get the basics right.
Girls still outshine boys at almost every subject, but boys continue to catch up across the grades, narrowing the gap.Girls still outshine boys at almost every subject, but boys continue to catch up across the grades, narrowing the gap.
For example, in grades A* to C, the gap narrowed by 0.6 percentage points.For example, in grades A* to C, the gap narrowed by 0.6 percentage points.
For reasons that were not clear to exam officials, there has been a fall in the past two years in the proportion of entries from people in independent schools awarded A* and A grades Independent top grades
'Positive signs' A JCQ presentation showed a fall in the past two years in the proportion of entries from people in independent schools awarded A* and A grades.
Fewer students are studying foreign languages. Exam officials said the reason for this was not clear. They dismissed the idea that it was because some 200 of the top, selective independent schools had adopted International GCSEs (IGCSEs).
Exam entries in German were down 10.2% from last year to just 81,000, while French fell 8.2%. Teenagers at state schools no longer have to study a foreign language after the age of 14. The schools regard these as more rigorous qualifications - but they are not reported with the GCSE results and do not count in government league tables.
There was also a fall in the number of students taking history - entries were down 1.6%. But the Independent Schools Council (ISC) said that was precisely the reason for the change.
Subjects such as media studies, business, and statistics increased sharply.
GCSEs: KEY FACTS 19.5% entries graded A* or A63.3% graded A* to COverall pass rate 98%French and German entries downSingle science entries upGCSEs: KEY FACTS 19.5% entries graded A* or A63.3% graded A* to COverall pass rate 98%French and German entries downSingle science entries up
It said that the % of A* and A grades when IGCSEs were included rose from 56.9% to 57.2% last year.
"We fully anticipate it will rise again this year."
It accused the JCQ of trying to distract the media's attention from the "hard subject" debate.
Last year 84% of pupils taking GCSEs or IGSCEs at ISC schools achieved five A*-C grades including maths, English, one science and one foreign language, it said. In state schools the figure was 44%.
Basic skills
Schools minister Jim Knight congratulated students.Schools minister Jim Knight congratulated students.
He said was particularly pleased that the gap had narrowed a little further this year between boys and girls.He said was particularly pleased that the gap had narrowed a little further this year between boys and girls.
"That's very encouraging," he said. "Girls outperform boys all over the western world, we need to do better particularly with English and writing."
He acknowledged that some businesses were not happy with school leavers' basic skills.He acknowledged that some businesses were not happy with school leavers' basic skills.
"They tell us that we are doing well on computing skills but we need to do better in English and maths."
This was why schools were being required to meet "much tougher" standards in these core areas, he said.This was why schools were being required to meet "much tougher" standards in these core areas, he said.
Shadow children, schools and families secretary Michael Gove said it was important we celebrate the achievements of young people.
"The more young people who master key skills, stay on in education and deepen their knowledge, the stronger our society and the more competitive our economy."