THOUSANDS more teenagers have missed out on top GCSE marks this year – although grades are still far higher than before the pandemic.
Pupils nervously receiving their results today have been awarded fewer A grades than 2021 after a full return to exams.
Those awarded the equivalent A/7 grade fell by 2.6 per cent and the amount of C/4 pass grades fell by 3.9 per cent.
But marks are still higher than 2019 pre-pandemic as regulators try to steadily bring down record grade inflation caused by generous teacher assessment.
Across the UK this morning there were scenes of ecstasy and bitter disappointment as teenagers opened their results.
Exam chiefs stressed this year’s fall on last year was no reflection on how hard kids have worked.
Girls once again did better than the boys across the board and achieved 7.4 per cent more A/7 grades.
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There is also likely to be regional disparities, partially affected by Covid hotspots forcing schools to close, when the stats are published.
Far fewer people took Art and Design as a GCSE choice, with Business Studies and Geography getting the biggest increase of entries.
Double science remained the subject with the most entries, followed by Maths, English, English Literature and History.
Some 2,193 16-year-olds in England got grade 9 in all their subjects – the equivalent of straight A*s.
It included 13 pupils who took at least 12 GCSEs.
Many BTEC results could also be delayed, exam chiefs warned.
JCQ boss Kath Thomas said: “As planned – and as with last week’s A level results, these results are higher than the last set of summer exams in 2019, but lower than last year’s teacher-assessed grades.
“This reflects the special arrangements that were put in place to support students, schools and colleges through another challenging year due to Covid.”
Education Minister Will Quince told Sky News: “The results will be out very, very soon, but I think the first thing is that today is a celebration of all those young people’s achievements and efforts over the course of the past two years.
“So, today’s about saying a huge well done, and a huge thank you to all of the teachers and the school leaders, and of course parents and carers that have supported young people to get those results. And you know, wish them every success with what they’re going to do next.”
Asked whether their grades are going to be lower, Mr Quince said: “So, yeah, they are and that’s 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 added: “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.”
Closing the attainment gap is a “huge priority” for the Government, an education minister has said.
“It is my mission as schools ministers to ensure that wherever you live in our country, that you have that same level of opportunity.”
