GCSE pass rates fall following revamp of exam system
Results from the 2017 GCSE exam season have been published, showing that pass rates took a slight dip this year following a significant overhaul of the testing system.
The percentage of students achieving a standard pass in their exams across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this year was 66.3 per cent, representing a slight fall of 0.6 percentage points compared to last year.
Students taking their GCSEs earlier this year were among the first to participate in a new-look system of examinations that emphasised performance in end-of-year tests over the previous modular coursework-based approach.
Pupils in England taking English language, English literature and maths courses are also the first to receive their grades on a new numerical scoring system from 1 to 9, replacing the old system of letter-based grades.
Across these three subjects, a total of 51,257 top grades of 9 were achieved, with entries in these reformed subjects all shown to have increased from last year. There have been record entries into geography GCSEs, while attainment in modern foreign languages - including French, German and Spanish - remained broadly stable.
Analysis from the Department for Education also indicated that more pupils seem to be taking their maths GCSEs at a time that is right for them, as early entries in maths fell by 64.6 per cent this year, while the number of entrants gaining a grade 9 came to 13.3 per cent - much higher than the 3.5 per cent overall average.
School standards minister Nick Gibb said: "The government's new gold-standard GCSEs in English and maths have been benchmarked against the best in the world, raising academic standards for pupils.
"These reforms represent another step in our drive to raise standards, so that pupils have the knowledge and skills they need to compete in a global workplace."
Sign up to posts
Related jobs
Salary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Northamptonshire
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Due to high demand, Teaching Personnel are currently recruiting GCSE Maths and English Tutors throughout Northamptonshire and the surrounding areas. Successful applicants MUST be confident tutoring al
Reference
AG19/04GCSE
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£25 - 30 per hour
Location free text
Corby
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£20 - £29 per hour
£30 per hour and above
Sector
Tutor/Intervention
Location
Northamptonshire
Description
Are you a Corby based Tutor, or a Teacher interested in undertaking 1:1 work, then we would love to hear from you!We work with a broad and varied range of Local Authority Clients and independent provi
Reference
AG19/04Corby
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Central TuitionAuthor
Central TuitionSalary
£140 - 220 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Sheffield
Description
MFL TeacherAre you an experienced MFL teacher ready to embrace a new challenge? Job Duties: Plan and deliver engaging and exciting Modern Foreign Language (MFL) lessons to secondary level studentsEns
Reference
MFL01
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield Secondary & SENAuthor
Sheffield Secondary & SENSalary
£90 - 150 per day
Location free text
Sheffield
Job Type
Flexible Working
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
Sector
Cover Supervisor
Location
Sheffield
Description
Cover Supervisors NeededSouth Yorkshire Secondary SchoolsFull-Time & Day-To-Day positions available£90- £150Teaching Personnel are looking to recruit cover supervisors who have strong behaviour manage
Reference
CoverTeacher01
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Sheffield Secondary & SENAuthor
Sheffield Secondary & SENSalary
£26k - 32k per year
Location free text
Cambridge
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Cambridge
Description
Job title: Electrical Installation Trainer AssessorSalary: £26,000 - £32,000 per annum DOELocation: CambridgeContract: Full time, permanent Teaching Personnel are proud to be an approved provider to a
Reference
M521H300
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£26k - 32k per year
Location free text
Cambridge
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Cambridge
Description
Job title: Gas & Plumbing Trainer AssessorSalary: £26,000 - £32,000 per annum DOELocation: CambridgeContract: Full time, permanent Teaching Personnel are proud to be an approved provider to a College
Reference
M523H300
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£160 - 240 per day
Location free text
Rochdale
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
£10 - £19 per hour
£20 - £29 per hour
Sector
Modern foreign languages
Location
Rochdale
Description
We are looking for an experienced Spanish teacher to support our Rochdale based secondary schools until July 2024.You will be supporting KS3 only, and lessons plans are provided. You’ll be required fu
Reference
3657
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Manchester North SecondaryAuthor
Manchester North SecondarySalary
£21,452 - 22,724 per year
Location free text
Cambridge
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
Less than £20,000
£20,000 - £29,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Cambridge
Description
Job title: Learning Support MentorSalary: £21,452 - £22,724 per annumLocation: SalaryContract: Full time, permanant (part time would be considered) Teaching Personnel are proud to be an approved provi
Reference
M520H300
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£28k - 34k per year
Location free text
Cambridge
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£20,000 - £29,999
£30,000 - £39,999
Sector
Secondary
Location
Cambridge
Description
Job title: PR Communications OfficerSalary: £28,000 - £34,000 per annumLocation: CambridgeContract: Full time, permanent Teaching Personnel are proud to be an approved provider to a College Trust in t
Reference
M519H300
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Permanent StaffingAuthor
Permanent StaffingSalary
£153 - 225 per day
Location free text
Preston
Job Type
Full Time
Salary
£100 - £199 per day
£200 - £299 per day
Sector
History
Location
Lancashire
Description
History TeacherSecondary school in PrestonJune 2024 start dateFull-time, long-term positionAre you a Teacher of History seeking a long-term position this June? Are you local to Preston, or willing to
Reference
PR257375AM
Expiry Date
DD01YY
Author
Lancashire SecondaryAuthor
Lancashire SecondaryRelated posts
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD03YY
Summary
Planning for the Easter break? The Teaching Personnel payroll team wants to make sure you get paid on time. This table outlines the Easter 2024 payroll date, along with the corresponding deadline
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
Supply TeachingContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Table of Contents 1. Why do people become supply teachers? 2. What does it take to become a supply teacher? 3. How can I find work as a supply teacher? <!-- b--> 4. How shou
by
Alex Schulte
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD01YY
Summary
Special Educational Needs (SEN) provision in schools is a critical aspect of education that demands attention in 2024. According to the Department for Education, over 1.5 million pupils in England
Teaser
Multi-Academy TrustsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Laura Williams is an education leadership coach with fifteen years of leadership experience in education across business, operations, HR, finance and governance. She is a former Business Manager, CO
by
Scott Owen
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Creating a safe and nurturing environment for pupils is paramount in the age of evolving social dynamics. One issue that has gained significant attention in recent years is the distinction between
by
Adam Davies
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD11YY
Summary
Shadow education secretary Bridget Phillipson addressed the Labour Party conference in October, where she announced plans to reform primary maths. Currently, one in four children leave primary school
Teaser
Tips and AdviceContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD10YY
Summary
Mock exams are a crucial milestone in a pupil's academic journey, serving as a practice run for the real deal. As educators, you play a pivotal role in helping pupils navigate through these trial ex
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
In the fast-moving world of education, headteachers and schools face the challenge of ensuring a continuous and reliable supply of qualified teachers. Unforeseen teacher absences due to staff sickness
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD09YY
Summary
Embarking on the journey to become an educator is both exhilarating and demanding. The Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is crucial to achieving your teaching ambitions. The road ahead
Teaser
EducatorsContent Type
TP-PostsPublish date
DD08YY
Summary
Teaching is a rewarding profession that plays a crucial role in shaping our society's future. However, it comes with its challenges. The workload can be demanding, which might sometimes lead to feelin
Register with us
for work in schools across England & Wales
Register today
Recent job