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21/08/2008
GCSE Students Celebrate Exam Success
GCSE students are celebrating top grades in the biggest annual rise since 1990.
As 750,000 teenagers collect their results, it has emerged that entries awarded at least a C increased more than two percentage points to 65.7%.
This year, 65.7% of the exams taken were awarded A* to C grades, a rise of 2.4% from 63.3% last year, the exam board reported.
It was also revealed that the number of entries fell to a five-year low of 5.7 million entries this summer compared with 5.8 million last year.
Director General of the AQA exam board, DR Mike Cresswell said "some young people are focusing their efforts on fewer GCSEs".
Another reason for the decline was that more students had taken English and Maths exams in November and these were not included in the summer results.
Entries in Northern Ireland outperformed students in England, Scotland and Wales with 26.4% awarded A* or A grades and 74.5% A* to C.
In England, 20.6% achieved A*/A and 65.5% A* to C. In Wales the figures were 18.9% and 65%.
Scotland's exam results were released a fortnight ago.
It will be another few months before statistics become available showing how well students have done.
The grades will help students decide their next step in the education ladder - be it to stay in school to sit A-levels, or to abandon education into the world of work.
English education ministers want at least 30% of pupils in each school to attain five A*-C grades, including Maths and English, by 2011.
Currently, 638 schools in England are subject to the "National Challenge" programme, with extra funding to improve their results.
The National Association of Head Teachers has congratulated students, who may have not made the top grade, but nonetheless achieved "beyond their expectations".
A spokesman said: "Their perseverance and hard work must not be forgotten in the scramble to analyse the number of students achieving at the highest levels."
Headmaster of Eton College, Tony Little, has insisted that GCSEs have not got easier but teachers were "more efficient" about training pupils to pass.
Meanwhile, 61 top independent schools are preparing to boycott league tables because they "skew" the education system.
(DS)
As 750,000 teenagers collect their results, it has emerged that entries awarded at least a C increased more than two percentage points to 65.7%.
This year, 65.7% of the exams taken were awarded A* to C grades, a rise of 2.4% from 63.3% last year, the exam board reported.
It was also revealed that the number of entries fell to a five-year low of 5.7 million entries this summer compared with 5.8 million last year.
Director General of the AQA exam board, DR Mike Cresswell said "some young people are focusing their efforts on fewer GCSEs".
Another reason for the decline was that more students had taken English and Maths exams in November and these were not included in the summer results.
Entries in Northern Ireland outperformed students in England, Scotland and Wales with 26.4% awarded A* or A grades and 74.5% A* to C.
In England, 20.6% achieved A*/A and 65.5% A* to C. In Wales the figures were 18.9% and 65%.
Scotland's exam results were released a fortnight ago.
It will be another few months before statistics become available showing how well students have done.
The grades will help students decide their next step in the education ladder - be it to stay in school to sit A-levels, or to abandon education into the world of work.
English education ministers want at least 30% of pupils in each school to attain five A*-C grades, including Maths and English, by 2011.
Currently, 638 schools in England are subject to the "National Challenge" programme, with extra funding to improve their results.
The National Association of Head Teachers has congratulated students, who may have not made the top grade, but nonetheless achieved "beyond their expectations".
A spokesman said: "Their perseverance and hard work must not be forgotten in the scramble to analyse the number of students achieving at the highest levels."
Headmaster of Eton College, Tony Little, has insisted that GCSEs have not got easier but teachers were "more efficient" about training pupils to pass.
Meanwhile, 61 top independent schools are preparing to boycott league tables because they "skew" the education system.
(DS)
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Fee support for part-time students
Part-time students are to receive an increase in financial support under new plans announced by the government. Under the new plans, students studying at least 75% of a full-time course will be eligible to receive up to £1,125 – an increase from the previous maximum of £885.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
