4.8 per cent rise in five good GCSEs rate

Rising numbers of teenagers are scoring five good GCSEs including English and maths, official figures show.

Almost six in 10 youngsters (58.3%) achieved five C grades or higher, including the two core subjects, this summer, according to statistics published by the Department for Education.

This is 4.8% rise on last year, when 53.5% achieved this threshold.

The rise in GCSE results has been fuelled by an increase in the numbers of international GCSEs (iGCSES) accredited, many of which have had large number of entries, the DfE suggested.

This is the second year running that iGCSEs, which are favoured by many private schools, have been included in the results.

While the numbers of pupils achieving five good GCSEs, including the basics, is rising, many youngsters are still missing out.

In total, around 262,000 youngsters left compulsory education without good grades this year, the figures suggest.

In state schools alone, 57.8% of pupils scored five good grades, including English and maths, up 2.6 percentage points on 2009/10.

And in private schools, 75.6% of pupils reached this threshold.

The results for all schools, both state and private, show that 78.8% scored five or more GCSEs at C or above in any subjects.

They also show that girls continue to outperform boys.

While almost two-thirds (62.2%) of girls at all schools scored five or more C grades, including English and maths, 54.6% of boys managed the same.

Today's figures also give the results achieved at academies.

Almost half (49.7%) of academy pupils achieved five C grades or higher including English and maths. This includes all academies that were open as of September 12 last year.

Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "The Government believes that teachers and headteachers know best how to run schools. Academy status gives professionals the freedom they need to do their job and today's figures show that that autonomy works."

PA