Posted on Monday 11th Jan 2016
The Sunday Times is reporting an analysis by Labour that suggests the majority of pupils who resat maths and English GCSEs in 2014 obtained lower grades than the first time they took the exams.
The party has analysed official figures to show that two-thirds of 16 to 18-year-olds who retook GCSE maths failed to improve their grade and half achieved a lower one. For those retaking GCSE English, 60% failed to improve and 40% obtained a lower one.
In total, only 11% of those who resat English and 7% of those who resat maths scored a grade C or above second time around.
Lucy Powell, the shadow education secretary, is quoted.
“English and maths skills are key for our country’s competitiveness, yet this government is failing to drive up standards among young people in these crucial subjects,” she said.
“The government is failing to get enough good maths and English teachers into the system.”
The paper points out that under government rules, pupils who fail to achieve at least a grade C in GCSE English and maths have to resit the exams (with an estimated 250,000 falling into this category each year.
Latest News
19/01/22What are the Covid rules in schools and will they stay open this term?
Face coverings will no longer be compulsory in England's secondary school classrooms from 20 January.
17/01/22Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places needed over the next five years
Thousands more Kent secondary and special school places will be needed over the next five years.
11/01/22Covid: Face mask refusals in some of England's secondary schools spark parents' concern
Secondary school pupils in England returned from the Christmas break this week to new advice – to wear face coverings in lessons and to take lateral flow tests at school before heading into classrooms.
19/10/21Further strikes threatened at universities this term
Students could face more strike action at universities this term after the academics' union opened a ballot over pay, pensions and conditions. University and College Union (UCU) general secretary Jo Grady said the UK's flagship university sector was built on the "exploitation of staff". They had experienced a decade of pension cuts, collapsing pay and insecure contracts, she said. University employers said the prospect of disruption was "disappointing".
01/10/21What changes are being made to GCSEs and A-levels next year?
Department for Education says 2022 will be a ‘transition year’