GCSE results for this year subject by subject

Teenagers secured a record haul of As and A*s today as this year’s GCSE examiners awarded the top grades to almost a fifth of test papers.

The proportion of top grades rose to 19.5 per cent, but a dramatic fall in students studying French and German has raised concern at the Government’s decision to make learning a language optional.

The overall GCSE pass rate fell slightly by 0.1 per cent, but 98 per cent of exam scripts were still awarded at least a grade G.

Michael Gove, the Conservative schools spokesman, echoed the Government and teaching bodies in welcoming the improved exam results.

“I’d like to congratulate all those who’ve secured impressive results in these examinations. It’s important we celebrate the achievements of young people who work hard and do the right thing,” said the Shadow Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Mathematics and science subjects saw an improvement in both numbers taking the exams and in the results awarded, with more pupils securing at least a C in the subjects than last year. English results were also improved this year and officials pointed to rising standards in literacy and numeracy among 16-year-olds.

Jim Sinclair, director of the Joint Council for Qualifications, which released the national results, said: “There are positive signs overall, with increased entries in mathematics and science, and the performance in all subject areas improving.

“The improvement in the GCSE results this year is testament both to effective teaching and the dedication and hard work of students.”

The biggest casualties in subject choice this year were foreign languages. Exam entries in German were down 10.2% from last year to just 81,000, while French fell 8.2 per cent.

The decline follows the Government’s controversial decision to give children the option to drop languages at the age of 14. Critics argue the decision has led to languages, which are increasingly regarded as important in the workplace, becoming an elitist subject.

Languages are just one of the basic skills that employers' organisations say are lacking in students as they leave school. David Frost, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce said that in many cases employers would prefer to give a job to a recent migrant from Eastern Europe as they were likely to better prepared for the workplace than a product of the UK school system.

“The bottom line is if we are not equipping young people with the basic skills, they are not going to get a job. The world has changed dramatically. There are no longer opportunities for unskilled work in factories,” he said.

“We should not forget employers now have choice. We have got over 600,000 Poles here and employers tell me as I go around the country they are employing them in vast numbers. Why? Because they have better skills than the school-leavers and secondly they want to work.”

The Schools Minister, however, reiterated the Government’s willingness to continue to offer further education or practical training to16-year-olds - even if they have little academic interest.

Jim Knight said: “We are guaranteeing every single learner a place in September who wants one after these GCSEs, regardless of how well they have done, because we do think people need to carry on learning beyond 16 if we are going to meet the skills needs of the country.”

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