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Elsewhere, today's results figures revealed there has also been a massive slump in the number of pupils taking information technology – with entries down by more than 14,000.

Overall, students were celebrating another improvement in GCSE results. One in five GCSE grades this year was A or A* - an increase of 1.2 per cent on last year. But the rises came as the number of entries dipped to a five-year low, down by 200,000 on 2007 from 5.8 million down to 5.6.

The Joint Council for Qualifications, (JCQ) which published the results today, said that drop in numbers taking GCSEs can partly be accounted for by national demographic changes, which have caused a decrease in the number of 16-year-olds by 6,000 in a year. Experts say the fall is likely to continue over the next 10 years.

Another contributing factor to the fall is that a growing number of pupils have taken GCSE English and maths a year early.

In the battle of the sexes, boys showed signs of catching up with girls in attainment for the first time, as sixty per cent were awarded A*-C grades.

More than 65.7 per cent of grades were A* to C, up from 63.3 per cent last year - continuing a five year rise.

There were gains in the number of science entries, which officials put down to changes to the science curriculum.This year the science double award has been replaced by two separate qualifications, science and additional science.

In addition, there were increased entries in the separate sciences, with biology up by 35.3 per cent, chemistry up 29.4 per cent and physics up 29.1 per cent.

There were also small improvements in English and maths results this year.

The overall pass rate rose back up after a slight dip in 2007. The proportion of teenagers scoring at least a grade G this year was 98.4 per cent a 0.4 per cent rise.

Lord Adonis, the Schools Minister, congratulated teachers and pupils on their hard work. He said: “Our message to young people is to stay on in education or training, whatever your results, and go on to fulfil your full potential."

Jim Sinclair, director of the JCQ, said: “Once again, we have seen a welcome increase in results at GCSE despite the lowest entry for five years. This is evidence of the hard work of the students and the continued dedication of their teachers.

“The core subjects at GCSE continue to dominate and still account for almost half of the full course entry.”

The National Association of Head Teachers congratulated pupils and staff on the record results, but said: “Those schools in very challenging circumstances who continue to achieve remarkable results for their students should be singled out for praise – even if they don’t meet arbitrary national targets for achievement at A–C.”

Annette Brooke , the Liberal Democrat schools' spokeswoman, said: “The drop in the total number of entries would suggest that many schools are now turning their backs on GCSEs, particularly in maths.

"The new regulator must ensure GCSEs really are rigorous qualifications that properly stretch the most talented pupils."

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