GCSE grades awarded to college students are down on final 12 months – however stay greater than pre-COVID ranges, with grading “lenient to reflect pandemic recovery”.
In 2021, the proportion of GCSE entries that have been awarded prime grades rose to an all-time excessive after exams have been cancelled for the second 12 months in a row and pupils have been awarded outcomes primarily based on trainer assessments.
Those amassing their grades at the moment are the primary cohort to sit down bodily exams since COVID and lockdowns compelled the non permanent overhaul of the training system.
GCSE outcomes dwell: Pupils informed decrease grades ‘a part of the plan’
The sample seen at the moment in figures printed by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) is much like A-levels final week, with grades dropping beneath final 12 months, however remaining above these from 2019.
The variety of college students given a 7 (equal to an A) is up by 5.5 share factors on 2019, however down 2.6 share factors on 2021.
This means the variety of entries given the upper grade is down from 28.9% final 12 months to 26.3% this 12 months.
Students awarded a 4 (equal to a C, or a cross grade) are additionally up by 5.9 share factors on 2019, and down 3.9 share factors on 2021.
There have been 5.7 million GCSE entries this 12 months – down 0.6% from 2021. Entries by 17-year-olds, and people older, declined by 17%, persevering with the sample seen final 12 months, indicating fewer retakes of English and maths.
Overall outcomes for feminine college students remained greater, with 30% of their entries reaching a 7/A, in contrast with 22.6% for boys.
The highest entry topics remained unchanged from 2021, with double award science, arithmetic, English, English literature, and historical past the preferred.
Business research noticed the best enhance in entries, up 4.6% from 2021, with geography growing 2.7%.
The common variety of entries per scholar was up barely, at 7.78 in contrast with 7.69 final 12 months.
Lower grades ‘a part of the plan’
Speaking earlier than the official figures have been launched, training minister Will Quince mentioned the decrease grades have been “very much part of the plan”.
“Over the last couple of years, we have had teachers assess grades, we have gone back for the first time to examinations,” he mentioned.
“We recognise the fact that young people have faced huge disruption of the past couple of years, so there have been adaptations in place and Ofqual have reflected in their marking and grading.”
Labour accused successive Conservative governments of “failing our children”, pointing to regional variations in grades below final 12 months’s trainer assessments.
Shadow faculties minister Stephen Morgan mentioned: “Young people receiving results have worked incredibly hard, but 12 years of Conservative governments has left a legacy of unequal outcomes that are holding back kids and holding back communities.”
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Exams ‘fairest approach to assess college students’
Kath Thomas, interim chief government officer of JCQ, congratulated college students on their outcomes “after lots of hard work and all the challenges of the pandemic”.
She mentioned: “We’re pleased that exams are back, as they’re the fairest way to assess students and give everyone the chance to show what they know.
“This is the first time in three years that results have been based on formal exams and coursework, so it’s a welcome step back towards normality.
“These outcomes will assist them progress to the following stage of their training and make some vital choices about their future.”
But examination board Pearson has warned this week 1000’s of scholars might miss out on being issued BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) outcomes at the moment.
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It mentioned that adjustments this 12 months, made to keep in mind disruption to instructing and studying throughout the pandemic, had “added more complexity to the process” and that with out full data they’re unable to award outcomes.
Source: information.sky.com”