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More than half of all pupils failed to achieve five good GCSEs that included English and maths this year, according to official figures published today.

The statistics suggest that record increases year-on-year in the overall pass rate mask continued underlying failures in basic qualifications for most children.

Only 47.2 per cent of all those who took GCSEs this summer – including children at private school – managed to get a C or above in maths, English and three other subjects, an increase of just 0.7 per cent on last year.

Girls continue to outshine boys, with 51.9 per cent attaining five good GCSEs including English and maths, compared to 42.8 per cent of boys reaching that standard.

Educational inequality is highlighted by analysis from the Conservative Party, which indicates a vast gulf in achievement between children from rich and poor areas. In the top ten per cent of highest achieving local authorities, 61.3 per cent of pupils get five good GCSEs on average. But in the bottom ten per cent that figure falls to 34.8 per cent.

Michael Gove, the Shadow Schools Secretary said: “Once again we see that children in the weakest areas are not getting the same opportunities as others. The gap between the fortunate and the forgotten remains stubbornly wide as the lucky ones pull away from the rest as they progress through school.

“Overall, fewer than half of children leave school aged 16 with the basic level of qualifications. The Government has ploughed money into education, and rightly so, but they have not achieved the improvements to match. “

Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “There are still far too many pupils leaving school without five A*-C grades including English and maths at GCSE. It is truly shameful that half the pupils in England do not achieve this level."

The official figures come just days after the Government abolished national tests for 14-year-olds at key stage 3, which were roundly criticised as unnecessary because GCSEs already provide an objective measure of school and pupil achievement.

Dr Bousted said: “The scrapping of key stage 3 tests should free up time for pupils to learn a wider range of topics and get immersed in issues of interest. We will work with the DCSF to try to make the new 14-19 curriculum and diplomas more relevant for young people to help those who are currently being failed by the system see a purpose in education and gain the qualifications and skills they need so badly.”

Jim Knight, the Schools Minister, said: “The bottom line is that over the last 11 years, 467,000 more 15-year-olds have gained the benchmark than if results had stayed at their 1997 levels. More young people than ever before have now got a firm foundation for further education, apprenticeships or the work-based training that they want to do.”

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