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GCSEs: Wales' pupils results fall but gap closes with UK GCSEs: Wales' pupils results fall but gap closes with UK
(40 minutes later)
Wales' pupils have closed the gap with the rest of the UK at achieving the highest GCSE grades but overall A* to C grades have fallen for the first time in more than a decade.Wales' pupils have closed the gap with the rest of the UK at achieving the highest GCSE grades but overall A* to C grades have fallen for the first time in more than a decade.
A total of 65.4% achieved A* to C results, down from 66.5% a year ago.A total of 65.4% achieved A* to C results, down from 66.5% a year ago.
However, the gap between Wales and the rest of the UK for A* and A grades has been cut from 3.7% in 2011 to 3.2% in 2012.However, the gap between Wales and the rest of the UK for A* and A grades has been cut from 3.7% in 2011 to 3.2% in 2012.
And 9,940 pupils completed their Welsh Baccalaureate programme, up 66%.And 9,940 pupils completed their Welsh Baccalaureate programme, up 66%.
The fall in A* to C passes follows a trend being seen across the UK.The fall in A* to C passes follows a trend being seen across the UK.
Experts say the difference can be explained largely by a change in the way English and Science qualifications are assessed.Experts say the difference can be explained largely by a change in the way English and Science qualifications are assessed.
The figures released this morning also show that girls continue to out-perform boys at A* to C although the boys have improved at A* and A grades.The figures released this morning also show that girls continue to out-perform boys at A* to C although the boys have improved at A* and A grades.
Teaching union ATL Cymru says the results were a mixed bag and no quick judgments should be made.
Dr Philip Dixon, the union's director urged caution and patience in interpreting the results.
'Obviously some of these results will be of concern to the profession - and to the Welsh government...but rash judgments and quick political point scoring will not help," he said.
"It is, frankly, puzzling that after relentless concentration on numeracy and literacy this has not shown up in these results."
Education Minister Leighton Andrews has previously said tackling problems with literacy and numeracy were two of his priorities.Education Minister Leighton Andrews has previously said tackling problems with literacy and numeracy were two of his priorities.
Furthermore, secondary schools in Wales are now ranked in bands, which the Welsh government says is to highlight those schools which require extra support.Furthermore, secondary schools in Wales are now ranked in bands, which the Welsh government says is to highlight those schools which require extra support.
Schools are judged on 12 categories, which include GCSE performance and pupil attendance levels. They are rewarded if they make progress in those areas.Schools are judged on 12 categories, which include GCSE performance and pupil attendance levels. They are rewarded if they make progress in those areas.
The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is also taken into account.The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is also taken into account.
ReviewReview
Schools will be banded again in December so this year's GCSE results will matter. Small differences can make significant banding changes.Schools will be banded again in December so this year's GCSE results will matter. Small differences can make significant banding changes.
Head teachers say they do their best to help pupils achieve the best GCSE results no matter whether banding exists or not.Head teachers say they do their best to help pupils achieve the best GCSE results no matter whether banding exists or not.
In England, Education Secretary Michael Gove is considering plans to overhaul the secondary school exam system.In England, Education Secretary Michael Gove is considering plans to overhaul the secondary school exam system.
He wants to replace GCSEs and return to O Level-style exams in traditional academic subjects like English, maths, the humanities and science.He wants to replace GCSEs and return to O Level-style exams in traditional academic subjects like English, maths, the humanities and science.
Even though Mr Andrews has dismissed such changes for Wales there is a review of qualifications underway which was commissioned by the Welsh government.Even though Mr Andrews has dismissed such changes for Wales there is a review of qualifications underway which was commissioned by the Welsh government.
It is looking at whether new qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds should replace GCSEs and to what extent the Welsh qualifications system should diverge from those in England and Northern Ireland.It is looking at whether new qualifications for 14 to 16-year-olds should replace GCSEs and to what extent the Welsh qualifications system should diverge from those in England and Northern Ireland.
Its findings will be published by the end of the year.Its findings will be published by the end of the year.
Derec Stockley, director of qualifications and assessment at Welsh exam board WJEC, said: "We shall definitely be asking the Welsh government to include English in that review to ensure the pathways available to our students are equal to those in England.Derec Stockley, director of qualifications and assessment at Welsh exam board WJEC, said: "We shall definitely be asking the Welsh government to include English in that review to ensure the pathways available to our students are equal to those in England.
"The early rumours coming out about the review is that GCSE will be continued in its present form in the short term but with the Welsh Baccalaureate as an umbrella."The early rumours coming out about the review is that GCSE will be continued in its present form in the short term but with the Welsh Baccalaureate as an umbrella.
"The Welsh Bacc emphasises skills and elements which employers have been saying this week, are all important to school leavers.""The Welsh Bacc emphasises skills and elements which employers have been saying this week, are all important to school leavers."