This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/education/8223855.stm

The article has changed 17 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Record top grades in GCSE results Record top grades in GCSE results
(10 minutes later)
A record proportion of GCSE entries were awarded the top grade in this year's exams, results show.A record proportion of GCSE entries were awarded the top grade in this year's exams, results show.
More than one in five entries (21.6%) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded an A or A* - a rise of 0.9 percentage points on last year.More than one in five entries (21.6%) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded an A or A* - a rise of 0.9 percentage points on last year.
And more than two in three (67.1%) of total entries scored between an A* and a C grade.And more than two in three (67.1%) of total entries scored between an A* and a C grade.
Nearly one in four entries from girls (24.4%) were awarded an A or A*, compared with 18.7% of boys' entries.Nearly one in four entries from girls (24.4%) were awarded an A or A*, compared with 18.7% of boys' entries.
This represents a slight improvement in the achievement gap between boys and girls in the highest grades.This represents a slight improvement in the achievement gap between boys and girls in the highest grades.
In 2008 23.5% of girls' entries were awarded As or A*s compared to 17.9% of boys' entries.In 2008 23.5% of girls' entries were awarded As or A*s compared to 17.9% of boys' entries.
Languages declineLanguages decline
Performance in English fell slightly at grades A* to C, down 0.2 percentage points from 62.9% in 2008, to 62.7% now.Performance in English fell slightly at grades A* to C, down 0.2 percentage points from 62.9% in 2008, to 62.7% now.
But the proportion of entries overall being awarded As and A*s rose by 0.9 percentage points from 20.7% in 2008 to 21.6% this year.But the proportion of entries overall being awarded As and A*s rose by 0.9 percentage points from 20.7% in 2008 to 21.6% this year.
Grades A* to C rose 1.4 percentage points to 67.1%.Grades A* to C rose 1.4 percentage points to 67.1%.
The overall pass rate - those getting from A* to G - increased by 0.2 percentage points to 98.6%.The overall pass rate - those getting from A* to G - increased by 0.2 percentage points to 98.6%.
Languages continued their steady decline, with data from the exam boards showing fewer people taking French (down 6.6%) and German (down 4.2%), but single sciences are gaining in popularity.Languages continued their steady decline, with data from the exam boards showing fewer people taking French (down 6.6%) and German (down 4.2%), but single sciences are gaining in popularity.
Performance across the nations varies with 66.9% of entries from England achieving A* to C grades and 21.5% getting and A or A*.Performance across the nations varies with 66.9% of entries from England achieving A* to C grades and 21.5% getting and A or A*.
In Wales, 65.5% of entries were awarded A* to C and 18.9% were awarded As or A*s.In Wales, 65.5% of entries were awarded A* to C and 18.9% were awarded As or A*s.
Northern Ireland's students are still the best performers, with 75.1% of entries gaining A* to C grades and 27.1% gaining As or A*s.Northern Ireland's students are still the best performers, with 75.1% of entries gaining A* to C grades and 27.1% gaining As or A*s.
'More options''More options'
In maths, overall the A*-C rate is up from 56.3 to 57.2%, with boys A*-C rate rising by 1.8 percentage points to 57.6%.
Among the youngest people to gain an A* grade in maths was Xavier Gordon-Brown, seven, who now feels qualified to offer his prime ministerial namesake some advice.Among the youngest people to gain an A* grade in maths was Xavier Gordon-Brown, seven, who now feels qualified to offer his prime ministerial namesake some advice.
The gifted youngster, from Haywards Heath, West Sussex, declared: "I was pretty confident, the GCSE was easy."The gifted youngster, from Haywards Heath, West Sussex, declared: "I was pretty confident, the GCSE was easy."
More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their GCSE results.More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their GCSE results.
Results for the first 200 students studying England's new Diploma qualification, designed to mix academic with work-related study, are also being released for the first time.Results for the first 200 students studying England's new Diploma qualification, designed to mix academic with work-related study, are also being released for the first time.
On the back of the results, ministers also expect the number of schools targeted for poor performance to fall to 280, from 631 two years ago.On the back of the results, ministers also expect the number of schools targeted for poor performance to fall to 280, from 631 two years ago.
Schools in England targeted under what is called the "National Challenge" are those where fewer than 30% of pupils achieve five or more good GCSE passes (A* to C) including maths and English.Schools in England targeted under what is called the "National Challenge" are those where fewer than 30% of pupils achieve five or more good GCSE passes (A* to C) including maths and English.
In January, when the league tables for England based on last year's exam results were published, 440 schools were in this category.In January, when the league tables for England based on last year's exam results were published, 440 schools were in this category.
The government says in 1997, a total of 1,600 schools were in this category - about half of schools - and that now the figure is one in 10.The government says in 1997, a total of 1,600 schools were in this category - about half of schools - and that now the figure is one in 10.
The results of the GCSEs taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year will be released by the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents the exam boards.The results of the GCSEs taken by students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year will be released by the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents the exam boards.
Students in Scotland received the results of their Standard and Higher grade exams earlier this month.Students in Scotland received the results of their Standard and Higher grade exams earlier this month.
And many pupils in Northern Ireland have already received some of their GCSE results because two thirds of exams taken there were set and marked by the local board, the CCEA. Those results were released last Tuesday.And many pupils in Northern Ireland have already received some of their GCSE results because two thirds of exams taken there were set and marked by the local board, the CCEA. Those results were released last Tuesday.
If young people have not got the grades they wanted or were expecting they should not panic. There are more options than ever Schools Minister Vernon Coaker What if you did not make the grade?If young people have not got the grades they wanted or were expecting they should not panic. There are more options than ever Schools Minister Vernon Coaker What if you did not make the grade?
Those getting their results are among the first to have been educated entirely under a Labour government.Those getting their results are among the first to have been educated entirely under a Labour government.
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said this year's GCSE results show sustained progress in standards at GCSE.Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said this year's GCSE results show sustained progress in standards at GCSE.
"Good results are the product of students' hard work and excellent teaching in the system. I congratulate young people for their achievements today, and we should all take pride in their success."Good results are the product of students' hard work and excellent teaching in the system. I congratulate young people for their achievements today, and we should all take pride in their success.
"The improvements in maths grades are particularly welcome and reflect our sustained focus on getting the basics right. However, it is disappointing to see a slight fall in the English A*-C rate."The improvements in maths grades are particularly welcome and reflect our sustained focus on getting the basics right. However, it is disappointing to see a slight fall in the English A*-C rate.
"We are not complacent and are targeting our efforts on ensuring that every child performs to their full potential. From next year we are introducing new GCSEs in English, Mathematics and ICT to strengthen their functional skills content.""We are not complacent and are targeting our efforts on ensuring that every child performs to their full potential. From next year we are introducing new GCSEs in English, Mathematics and ICT to strengthen their functional skills content."
BBC News wants to hear from students receiving their results. What do you plan to do after you get your results? If you fail to make the grade, do you know what you will do next?BBC News wants to hear from students receiving their results. What do you plan to do after you get your results? If you fail to make the grade, do you know what you will do next?
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions