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Another rise in top GCSE grades Another rise in top GCSE grades
(20 minutes 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 are getting their results, and almost one in five entries has been awarded an A* or A. The overall pass rate fell slightly.More than 600,000 students are getting their results, and almost one in five entries has been awarded an A* or A. The overall pass rate fell slightly.
The proportion of entries getting grades of A* to C rose from 62.4% to 63.3%, while 19.5% got an A or A*.The proportion of entries getting grades of A* to C rose from 62.4% to 63.3%, while 19.5% got an A or A*.
The gap between boys and girls continues to narrow. Science entries rose, but French and German fell.The gap between boys and girls continues to narrow. Science entries rose, but French and German fell.
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%.There was a tiny fall in the overall pass rate - entries marked from A* to G - from 98.1% to 98%.
The total number of entries rose a little to just over 5.8 million. About 70% of those were takne 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 total number of 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.
The proportion of entries achieving A* to A rose from 19.1% to 19.5%.The proportion of entries achieving A* to A rose from 19.1% to 19.5%.
The improvement this year is testament both of effective teaching and the dedication and hard work of students Jim Sinclair, JCQThe improvement this year is testament both of effective teaching and the dedication and hard work of students Jim Sinclair, JCQ
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.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, but boys continue to catch up across the grades, narrowing the gap.Girls still outshine boys, 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.
'Positive signs''Positive signs'
The statistics were published by the Joint Council for Qualifications - the umbrella group for all the main examination boards.The statistics were published by the Joint Council for Qualifications - the umbrella group for all the main examination boards.
Its director, Jim Sinclair, said: "The improvement in the GCSE results this year is testament both of effective teaching and the dedication and hard work of students.Its director, Jim Sinclair, said: "The improvement in the GCSE results this year is testament both of 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.""There are positive signs overall, with increased entries in mathematics and science, and the performance in all subject areas improving."
Fewer students are studying foreign languages.Fewer students are studying foreign languages.
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
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.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.
There was also a fall in the number of students taking history - entries were down 1.6%.There was also a fall in the number of students taking history - entries were down 1.6%.
Subjects such as media studies, business, and statistics increased sharply.Subjects such as media studies, business, and statistics increased sharply.
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.""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.""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.
  • Meanwhile some GCSE maths and Information and Communication Technology students are still waiting to get their results.
  • Meanwhile some GCSE maths and Information and Communication Technology students are still waiting to get their results.
    Principal at Unity City Academy Bob Dore in Middlesbrough said exam board Edexcel told him that his pupils and those in a number of other schools around the country would be getting their results up to 72 hours late. Principal at Unity City Academy Bob Dore in Middlesbrough said exam board Edexcel had told him that his pupils and those in a number of other schools around the country would be getting their results up to 72 hours late.
    Mr Dore said: "These are two key subjects which are taken by the vast majority of our Year Eleven students so these results will have a significant impact on the final results. Mr Dore said: "These are two key subjects which are taken by the vast majority of our Year 11 students so these results will have a significant impact on the final results.
    "We feel sorry for our students having to wait longer before they know their full results but these circumstances are outside our control.""We feel sorry for our students having to wait longer before they know their full results but these circumstances are outside our control."