Results published by the Joint Council of Qualifications (JCQ) show that 21.6% of entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were awarded an A or A* which is a 0.9 percentage point rise on last year. More than two in three entries scored grades between an A* and C.
Results for the first students studying England's new Diploma qualification are also being released for the first time, while students in Scotland received the results of their Standard and Higher grade exams earlier this month.
Responding to today’s publication of GCSE results, NUS Vice President for Further Education, Shane Chowen, said:
“Following today’s GCSE results, many people’s thoughts will already be turning to what they do next, whether they are school leavers or students who have returned to education to improve their knowledge and skills. In the current economic climate, this may cause some trepidation.
“We are very pleased that the Government has made some extra places available in further education, and many of those who have passed GCSEs today will no doubt be excited by the opportunity to continue their education. However, we are concerned that there has been an 8% drop in apprenticeships. Given that job opportunities have plummeted, the Government must be quick to respond to the increased demand from those who would like to take up apprenticeships, or they will have nowhere else to go.”
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