The English Association congratulates every student who has received their results today for an GCSE in English Language or English Literature.
This year there were more than 1.5 million entries to English Language or English Literature GCSEs: this is nearly 25% of all GCSE entries.
Results in English are broadly in line with those last year, with almost no change in the proportion of English Literature GCSEs awarded at A and above, or passed at C and above. Passes in English Language have fallen slightly.
We welcome press coverage that flags the impact on overall entries and on pass rates of the increases in students being required to take resits of English Language and Maths.
The English Association notes the reported comments of Jill Duffy (Chief Executive, OCR): ‘We need fundamental reform to maths and English secondary education to support those who fall behind in these crucial subjects’.
We support calls for reform of the resits policy and have long called for urgent review of the GCSE curriculum. The findings from our summit on Reform of the English GCSEs can be found on our website.
Our collaborative project on ‘Connecting English and Maths’ explores trans-disciplinary and cross-curricular links, in partnership with the Mathematical Association and Maths Inspiration.
We warmly encourage any student of GCSE English to consider continuing the subject at A-level. Studying English provides training in skills and knowledge which will hold their value in years to come.
Further sources of information
Official data on GCSE results is provided by the Joint Council for Qualifications: GCSE and Level 1, 2 results – Summer 2005.
Tools for analysis of long term trends can be found on the British Academy’s School Indicators dashboard, part of their SHAPE Observatory work.
