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Record top grades in GCSE results Record top grades in GCSE results
(about 1 hour later)
A record proportion of GCSE entries were awarded the top grades in this year's exams, results show. GCSE grades have reached another record level - with more than one in five exams (21.6%) being awarded an A* or A.
More than one in five entries (21.6%) in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded an A or A* - up from 20.7% last year. More than half a million teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland have been receiving their results.
And more than two in three (67.1%) of total GCSE entries scored between an A* and a C grade. Grades have risen almost continually since 1988 and this year more than two in three (67.1%) were between an A* and a C.
Nearly one in four entries from girls (24.4%) were awarded an A or A*, compared with 18.7% of boys' entries. Girls continue to get more A*s and As than boys. Fewer teenagers are taking modern languages but sciences are up.
In 2008 23.5% of girls' entries were awarded As or A*s compared to 17.9% of boys' entries.
This represents a slight widening of the achievement gap between girls and boys at the highest grades.
However, when grades A* to C are taken as a whole for all subjects, boys slightly narrowed the gap with girls.
I congratulate young people for their achievements today, and we should all take pride in their success. Schools minister Vernon Coaker What if you did not make the grade?I congratulate young people for their achievements today, and we should all take pride in their success. Schools minister Vernon Coaker What if you did not make the grade?
Performance by all candidates for in English fell slightly at grades A* to C, down from 62.9% in 2008, to 62.7% now. Nearly one in four GCSE entries from girls (24.4%) were awarded an A or A*, compared with 18.7% of those of boys.
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. This is a slight widening of the gap between girls and boys at the highest grades.
The proportion of entries being given the top grades of A* to C rose to 67.1% of the total this year, up from 65.7% in 2008. But, if you look at grades A* to C generally, boys slightly narrowed the gap with girls.
The percentage of papers getting those grades has risen every year since 1988, apart from between 1997 and 1998, when they stayed the same. Performance by candidates in English GCSES fell slightly at grades A* to C, but for maths it rose - especially among boys.
The overall pass rate - those getting from A* to G - increased by 0.2 percentage points to 98.6% on last year. This improvement by boys is being put down to the end of coursework in the subject.
KEY GCSE FACTS 2009 A* to C grades - 67.1%of whole A and A* grades -21.6% of whole N Ireland A* to C - 75.1%England A* to C - 66.9%Wales A* to C - 65.5%
Languages continued their steady decline, with data from the exam boards showing fewer people taking French (down 6.6% on last year) 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% on last year) and German (down 4.2%), but single sciences are gaining in popularity.
KEY GCSE FACTS 2009 A* to C grades = 67.1% of whole A and A* grades -21.6% of whole, up from 20.7% last yearN Ireland A* to C - 75.1%England A* to C - 66.9%Wales A* to C - 65.5%Overall pass rate (A* to G grades) - 98.6%
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.
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%.
This improvement by boys is being put down to the end of coursework in the subject.
Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said this year's GCSE results showed sustained progress in standards were the product of hard work.Schools Minister Vernon Coaker said this year's GCSE results showed sustained progress in standards were the product of hard work.
"I congratulate young people for their achievements today, and we should all take pride in their success."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."
General secretary of the National Union of Teachers Christine Blower said the overall picture was one of success.General secretary of the National Union of Teachers Christine Blower said the overall picture was one of success.
She added that the reduction in the take-up of modern languages was a "fundamental concern" and that gap in performance between boys and girls needed further investigation.She added that the reduction in the take-up of modern languages was a "fundamental concern" and that gap in performance between boys and girls needed further investigation.
More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their GCSE results. They were released by the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents the exam boards.More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their GCSE results. They were released by the Joint Council for Qualifications, which represents the exam boards.
Results for the first 200 students studying England's new Diploma qualification, designed to mix academic with work-related study, were also released.Results for the first 200 students studying England's new Diploma qualification, designed to mix academic with work-related study, were also released.
Xavier Gordon-Brown found the maths GCSE "easy" at the age of eightXavier Gordon-Brown found the maths GCSE "easy" at the age of eight
On the back of the GCSE 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 GCSE 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 the figure was 1,600 - about half of schools - and that now the rate is one in 10.The government says in 1997 the figure was 1,600 - about half of schools - and that now the rate is one in 10.
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.
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 had received some of their GCSE results earlier this week because two thirds of exams taken there were set and marked by the local board, the CCEA.And many pupils in Northern Ireland had received some of their GCSE results earlier this week because two thirds of exams taken there were set and marked by the local board, the CCEA.
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