Hundreds of thousands of teenagers received their GCSE results today, with the number of A*-C grades rising 0.2 per cent to 69 per cent. There was however a fall in the number of A* grades, a 0.1 per cent drop for UK students this year.
Geographically, Northern Ireland achieved the best GCSE results this year, with the proportion of A*-C grades rising to 78.7 per cent. Figures in Wales stayed the same at 66 per cent.
Within England, there was 68.8 per cent pass rate concerning A*-C grades, with London the most successful city this year, with 72 per cent of the capital’s students achieving high grades.
Nicky Morgan, the governments Education secretary welcomed the results, stating:
‘‘A generation of young people from all backgrounds are now securing the GCSEs that help give them the widest range of options later in life – whether looking for a rewarding job or a top apprenticeship.’’
Paul Warner, director of employment and skills for the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), also commented on the results, stating that GCSE’s are no longer proving a stumbling block for students who want to undertake an apprenticeship.
‘‘AELP congratulates hard-working students who have passed their GCSEs today. For the core subjects which are important for employers and further progression in education. This is undoubtedly very encouraging.’’
‘‘AELP training provider members engage with thousands of employers every day with the running of apprenticeship and traineeship programmes. Many of these employers are now happy to recognise Functional Skills for English and maths as an alternative to GCSEs because they provide the applied skills which the apprentice or trainee needs to do their job.’’
‘‘Employers are also in the driving seat for deciding the new standards for apprenticeships under the government’s Trailblazer process and they are specifying attainment in Functional Skills as a requirement for completing an apprenticeship.’’
Check out this infographic commissioned by the BBC which summarises 2015’s GCSE results.
