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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. |
Review | Review |
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." |