GCSE results are released today

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has claimed that there has never been a better time to go into post-16 study, as hundreds of thousands of students collect their GCSE results.

More than 700,000 teenagers are receiving their GCSE results, in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, following complaints that some examinations were too tricky after a new numerical 9-to-1 grading system was introduced and some GCSEs overhauled to become more difficult. The Department for Educations states that exams being more rigorous better prepares young people for further study and the world of work.

However, despite the claims, Williamson says that a rise in the quality of apprenticeships and A levels means young people can be full of confidence as they look to the future, and move into sixth forms and further education colleges.

He said: “Today is a proud day for students, teachers and parents up and down the country, and I wish them all the very best for their results. It should also be an exciting day. It’s a day that marks the culmination of years of hard work and opens doors that can create life-changing opportunities.

“The work this government has done to drive up standards means there has never been a better time to go onto further study. We will continue to focus on discipline, outcomes and standards, so whatever path they choose, young people will get a better and better education so they can be full of confidence about their future.”

Of the 5.2 million GCSE entries this year, provisional data suggests 4.2 million were for EBacc subjects – up almost four per cent on the previous academic year. The data also highlights increases in entries to Spanish (10 per cent) and French (four per cent).