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GCSE results 'slight improvement' GCSE results 'slight improvement'
(10 minutes later)
This year's GCSE results for England showed a slight improvement, with 46.5% of students achieving five or more good GCSEs including English and maths.This year's GCSE results for England showed a slight improvement, with 46.5% of students achieving five or more good GCSEs including English and maths.
This was a 0.7 percentage point increase on last year's results.This was a 0.7 percentage point increase on last year's results.
Despite the upward trend, this means that less than half of pupils are reaching this benchmark for literacy and numeracy. Girls still outperformed boys by a wide margin - and regional variations ranged between 26% and 65% reaching this benchmark of basic skills.
But Schools Minister Jim Knight hailed the improving results as evidence that the "doom-mongers" were wrong. Schools Minister Jim Knight hailed the improving results as evidence that the "doom-mongers" were wrong.
'Carping''Carping'
"Whatever the carping from the usual doom-mongers, 470,000 more young people since 1997 have got a better start in life," said Mr Knight."Whatever the carping from the usual doom-mongers, 470,000 more young people since 1997 have got a better start in life," said Mr Knight.
GCSE RESULTS 2007 46.5% pupils with 5 good GCSEs including English and maths51% of girls and 42.1% of boys reach this benchmarkIn Sutton, 64.9% reached this level, only 26.3% in KnowsleyIn Greenwich, 25.3% of boys, in Kingston 67% of girlsIn 1997, 37% of pupils achieved this levelGCSE RESULTS 2007 46.5% pupils with 5 good GCSEs including English and maths51% of girls and 42.1% of boys reach this benchmarkIn Sutton, 64.9% reached this level, only 26.3% in KnowsleyIn Greenwich, 25.3% of boys, in Kingston 67% of girlsIn 1997, 37% of pupils achieved this level
The figures showed a continued gradual improvement in the results of those taking their exams this summer - across a wide range of measurements.
The requirement to include English and maths in the benchmark of five good GCSEs was introduced by the government to make sure that teenagers were leaving school with the basic skills.The requirement to include English and maths in the benchmark of five good GCSEs was introduced by the government to make sure that teenagers were leaving school with the basic skills.
In 1995-1996, the number achieving this threshold was 35.2% - with an 11.3% percentage point increase since then.In 1995-1996, the number achieving this threshold was 35.2% - with an 11.3% percentage point increase since then.
Under the previous measurement of students achieving any five GCSEs, grades A to C, the results show an increase of 2.3 percentage points to 61.5%. This meets the target of 60% of students achieving this level a year early.Under the previous measurement of students achieving any five GCSEs, grades A to C, the results show an increase of 2.3 percentage points to 61.5%. This meets the target of 60% of students achieving this level a year early.
The figure for the number of students with at least one GCSE of any grade is 99.1%, up marginally on last year.The figure for the number of students with at least one GCSE of any grade is 99.1%, up marginally on last year.
Among the higher achievers, girls continue to do better than boys, with 66% of girls achieving five or more good GCSEs compared to 57.1%.Among the higher achievers, girls continue to do better than boys, with 66% of girls achieving five or more good GCSEs compared to 57.1%.
There were also wide differences in the level of achievement between local authorities - which combined with the gender gap - can show stark divisions.
Three quarters of boys in the London Borough of Greenwich do not get five GCSEs including English and maths - while in Sutton, more than two-thirds of girls reach this standard.
There are also early indications of the progress in academies - with 20 of these independent state schools now having results for the past two years.There are also early indications of the progress in academies - with 20 of these independent state schools now having results for the past two years.
From a low starting point, often in the most deprived areas, there has been 3.6 percentage point increase in pupils getting five good GCSEs including English and maths.From a low starting point, often in the most deprived areas, there has been 3.6 percentage point increase in pupils getting five good GCSEs including English and maths.
These figures, released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, are the first provisional statistics for exams taken in the summer of 2007.These figures, released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, are the first provisional statistics for exams taken in the summer of 2007.
The results apply to pupils who have reached the end of this phase of secondary education - Key Stage 4 - rather than any particular age group.The results apply to pupils who have reached the end of this phase of secondary education - Key Stage 4 - rather than any particular age group.
A separate set of results figures for 15 year olds show a similar increase - but with a headline figure of 45.7% of students with five good GCSEs including English and maths.A separate set of results figures for 15 year olds show a similar increase - but with a headline figure of 45.7% of students with five good GCSEs including English and maths.