GCSE results down for first time.

Phil Cooke made the following comments regarding the decline in GCSE results across England:

"For the first time in the history of the GCSE, we have seen a drop in passes at grade C or above. The overall drop is small at 0.4%, but significant in important subjects including English (1.5%), English Literature (2.1%) and Science (2.2%). Some schools are reporting sudden drops of 10% or more in English, despite the same departments delivering well at A level."

"In previous years there has been much talk of ”grade inflation", but the current set of results are nothing to do with raising standards or making exams more difficult. Halfway through the year grade boundaries were suddenly changed, making it harder to get a pass with the same work. Students at a C level and being assessed at a C level have ended up with a D. This is unfair, unhelpful and is likely to undermine the confidence of students who have worked hard at their GCSEs."

"These results will have very serious consequences for a significant number of students and schools. Failure to gain a grade C or above in key subjects such as English blocks access to many further education and career choices. Schools falling short of GCSE targets have been warned they can be taken out of local control and made into academies. This would mean local communities losing power over the education choices available to them. I am also concerned that this fall comes at a time when the Government is slashing education spending by over 14%, cuts that will no doubt have a negative impact on both teachers and students in coming years."

"The Pirate Party has been saying for some time that ICT education is in need of an overhaul, so the 2.5% drop in passes for this subject is worrying. It makes it harder for students to continue in technology and has serious implications for the digital economy and innovation in the UK."

Phil Cooke
Education Spokesperson
Pirate Party UK
@tempest3k

campaigns@pirateparty.org.uk

Contact:
press@pirateparty.org.uk
+44 (0) 161 987 7880