Top GCSE results continue to increase

The number of pupils achieving top grades in their GCSEs in England, Wales and Northern Ireland has increased again this year.

According to the latest figures, the percentage of results between A* and C rose by 1.2 percentage points to 62.4%.

The proportion of exam entries for English that were awarded at least a C grade rose by 0.7 points to 61.6%, while in maths, the proportion rose by 0.9 points to 54.3%.

There was also an increase in the number of students who opted to study physics, biology, chemistry and single science.

However, entry levels for French and German dropped, falling by 13.2% and 14.2% respectively.

Commenting on the results, Dr John Dunford from the Association of School and College Leaders said: "The rises in the A* - C achievement are cause for congratulations for students and teachers. There is no evidence whatsoever that standards are falling. Indeed, it would be cause for concern if pass rates were not increasing, with substantial government investment in schools, improved teaching and students working harder than ever."

However, Dr Dunford described the drop in entries for modern foreign language GCSEs as a "major concern". He said: "Fourteen-year-olds are putting themselves at a disadvantage in the job market by giving up modern languages.

"The short-term answer is not to return to compulsory foreign languages for 14 and 15-year-olds but, in the longer term, to make languages a mandatory part of a wider Tomlinson-style diploma.

"Schools need to find new ways of providing language lessons, other than the two-year GCSE course. We cannot wait nine years until the benefits of the primary school foreign language initiative are seen at GCSE."

(KMcA)