Quarter of all GCSEs may be given A-grade

Around one in 12 exams are expected to score a coveted A* grade in line with the number of entries achieving the top mark in A-levels last week.

The predictions come as teenagers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to receive their results on Thursday morning.

Last summer the pass rate rose for the 23rd year in a row, with 69.1 per cent of entries achieving at least a C – the lowest grade still to be considered as a good pass.

Prof Alan Smithers, of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University suggested that this figure could reach 70 per cent this year.

He said: “I would say, that on the pattern of previous years, we could expect approaching eight per cent to get an A*.”

He believes that the level achieving at least an A grade could rise slightly to 23 per cent.

In 2010, 22.6 per cent of exams got an A or A*, with 7.5 per cent receiving the A*.

Prof Smithers also suggested that this year’s results could be affected by the Government’s introduction of the English Baccalaureate – awarded to pupils who score C or above in English, maths, two sciences, a foreign language and history or geography.

Students receiving their results this week will have been halfway through their two-year courses when the new measure was brought in, he said.

“It’s a case of whether any school changed what they were doing mid-stream. They may have been offering half courses in history or geography and said to students, ‘You will have to do the full course’.”

As pupils anticipate their results, one union leader warned that tinkering with exams and league tables will be damaging for students. Dr Mary Bousted, general secretary of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL), said: “The pressure on schools and teachers of the league tables has already led to too much teaching focusing on getting pupils through exams.

“The Government’s intention to devalue and limit vocational qualifications in future league tables will tie schools’ hands and push many young people into qualifications that don’t allow them to develop their talents and excel.

“In addition, this year the arbitrary introduction of new GCSE floor targets is pushing schools to concentrate their attention on borderline C/D pupils at the expense of other pupils.”

Under the Government’s new benchmark, all secondary schools should have 35 per cent of pupils gaining at least five C grades at GCSE, including English and maths, and ministers are aiming to raise this to 50 per cent by 2015.

They are also carrying out a review of which GCSE equivalent qualifications should be allowed to included in league tables amid fears that some schools have been putting pupils into easier non GCSE subjects in order to boost their own standings.

Brian Lightman, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said he expected another good year of results, with an increase in the numbers achieving five A* to Cs including English and maths.

However he also warned that the 16-year-olds who were waiting for their results were facing “an enormously tough time”.

He said: “In terms of difficulties, they are facing fears about unemployment, they are aware of cuts, and changes to university arrangements. Finding a way through that to an informed decision is incredibly difficult.

“We want, and need, young people to be staying in education, I hope they are encouraged by the good results I’m sure they will get, and want to stay in education, and that we can reassure them that it is worthwhile.”

Mothers give treats for exam passes

PARENTS worry more about their child’s exam results than youngsters do, a poll suggests.

The Netmums survey, which questioned 1,288 parents, also reveals that many are offering their children rewards to encourage them to do well.

Two-fifths said they thought promising treats gave a child an incentive to succeed while a third said they had promised their child rewards if they get good exam results.

Around one in 10 – 11.1 per cent – said that they thought promising rewards added pressure, while 8.3 per cent said they did not think offering treats would make any difference and 7.2 per cent said the practice was wrong.

Among those that do offer rewards, a day trip was the most popular followed by money. Video games, DVDs, holidays, cars, mobile phones, funding for university fees and laptops were among the other rewards parents had offered.