p.6 news 9:Page 6 03/09/2009 13:00 Page 6
News
Good progress in GCSEs as overall
Information for schools
A* to C rate rises to record high
about Swine Flu from
Ed Balls
The 2009 GCSE results show the overall (MFL) are also up, with the A* to C rate up
A* to C rate has increased by 1.4 1.8 percentage points to 70.1 per cent in
We have been closely monitoring the spread and severity of
percentage points to 67.1 per cent. The French, and up 2 percentage points in
swine flu over the school holidays. The latest scientific advice to
overall A* to G rate has also increased from German to 74 per cent. Following Lord
the Government is that individual school closures are now of
98.4 per cent in 2008 to 98.6 per cent and Dearing’s recommendations, we will be
limited benefit in stopping the spread of disease.
the A* to A rate has gone up from making languages compulsory in primary
Given the mildness of the virus, the expert medical advice is
20.7 per cent in 2008 to 21.6 per cent. school from 2011 to encourage children to
that there is no good reason for schools to remain closed after
Encouragingly, boys are making develop a lifelong love of languages and
the summer holiday. We therefore expect all schools and early-
excellent progress, with their A* to C improve take up at secondary school at
years and childcare settings in England to reopen as planned at
results in mathematics rising 1.8 percentage Key Stage 4.
the beginning of the new term.
points to 57.6 per cent. Boys are also Schools Minister Vernon Coaker
However, it is still essential that adults or children with flu-
continuing to close the gap overall, their commented “This year’s results show we
like symptoms should stay away until they are free of those
A* to C results improving 1.5 percentage are continuing to see the benefits of
symptoms. They should contact the National Pandemic Flu
points compared to 1.2 percentage points sustained extra investment in teachers and
Service on 0800 1513 100 or at Directgov's dedicated flu
for girls. resources over the last twelve years. Ofsted
website.
There has been a significant increase in has reported a rise in the quality of
entries for the three individual sciences, with teaching, and there are now 40,000 more
Information for schools
chemistry up 20.3 per cent, biology up 18 teachers working in our schools.”
We have published revised questions and answers guidance
per cent and physics up 21 per cent – which “The new secondary curriculum has
and emailed local authorities too, alerting them to this
reflects our commitment to making triple given teachers flexibility to teach in a more
guidance.
science more widely available. It is also relevant and engaging way for their pupils,
pleasing to see that A* to C results for the and we have invested £1billion for
Resources to help promote good hand hygiene
individual science subjects remain the personalised learning to provide targeted
We want to encourage everyone to continue to follow the
highest, with all above 90 per cent. support at pre-GCSE stage for those who
basic hygiene practices that can help to prevent flu from
Results for modern foreign languages are falling behind”
spreading, and schools have an important role to play in
promoting these with children.
Moving Up booklets coming
New generation of mathematicians
to all secondary schools
and scientists at heart of Building
Children transferring to secondary school this September will be the
very first who will all need to be in education or training until they are Britain's Future
18, following the passage of the Education and Skills Act last year. A
short informal booklet – Moving Up – is being distributed to all
Schools Minister Iain Wright hailed a new Backed by universities, the Extended
secondary schools in the week commencing 7th September.
generation of mathematicians and Project has been designed so students
We are asking schools to pass these on to their incoming Year 7s and
scientists with top-grade A levels as can show off the research and analytical
where appropriate use them in assemblies or lessons. This booklet will
being the key to building a strong skills and academic flair they need for
help new Year 7s with the transition, and explain the choices ahead.
economy and highly skilled workforce. higher education and the world of work.
The DCSF produced a similar booklet for the young people who
The UK 2009 A level and AS results, This is the first year of the new AS
moved to Year 7 in September 2008. This new version has been
published recently, show the number of levels with new A2 exams introduced
updated to incorporate feedback from children, parents and schools.
learners taking mathematics and further next year – with changes including
We have also published a lesson and assembly plan for teachers to use,
maths A levels at their highest levels for challenging students through open-
perhaps as part of a form class or PSHE lesson. These resources are a
well over a decade. ended questions requiring them to draw
guide through the issues raised in the booklet and can be found here.
This is the first year the new Extended on knowledge across the syllabus and
A competition has been included to encourage discussion about
Project qualification, worth half an A produce more extended written
education experiences between the children and their parents or carers.
level, has been awarded, with students responses. Next year will see the new A*
Visit the publications section of the Teachernet website or call 0845
doing in-depth, independent research grade awarded for the first time to
600 9506 quoting reference 00826-2009BKT-EN.
into a subject of their choice. recognise the very highest achievement
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6
www.education-today.co.uk September 2009
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