GCSE results for South's pupils


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Are GCSEs getting easier?

As GCSEs are revealed today, some people complain that exams are getting easier than they used to be.

These are the kind of questions students need to know to pass their exams.

1)The formula of sodium sulphate is Na2SO4. How many elements does it contain?

A) 2

B) 3

C) 7

2) What process is used to purify copper?

A) Electrolysis

B) Filtration

C) Reduction in a blast furnace

3)About how long ago do scientists believe the universe began?

A) 13,700 million years

B) 1,370 million years

C) 137 million years

4) An atom consists of:

A) An electron surrounded by a nucleus

B) A nucleus containing electrons

C) A nucleus surrounding by electrons

Questions: credit to BBC Bitesize


1) B

2) A

3) A

4) C


  1. National

Teachers union: 'Target driven culture stifling learning'

General Secretary of the National Union of Teachers, the largest teachers’ union, said the "obsessive target driven culture" in schools is "stifling learning".

The National Union of Teachers criticised the 'target driven culture' in schools. Credit: David Davies/PA Archive

Christine Blower said: "Congratulations to all pupils and teachers for the hard work they have put into passing this year’s GCSEs.

“The great results speak for themselves and have been achieved despite persistent criticism from the Education Secretary about the validity of GCSEs as a qualification, and the continual shifting of pass rate criteria.

“Schools and pupils are being put under ridiculous pressures to meet the latest demands from Ofsted and Government. As exam and test results are increasingly the only measure by which schools are judged it is no surprise some schools are entering pupils for different exams or entering them earlier.

"Everyone wants the best for pupils but the obsessive target driven culture imposed on schools is stifling learning and pupil engagement."

Brighton school celebrates record year

Pupils at Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA) has received a five percent rise in GCSE results this year.

46 per cent of students got five or more GCSE passes at A*-C grades, including maths and English.

In the three years since the Academy opening, the number of students meeting the government benchmark grades has doubled.

BACA is likely to be in the top 20 fastest improving schools in the country over that period when the statistics are finalised.

Interim PrincipalMichael Brett said: “Theseresults are a credit to the hard work and dedication of all the staff andstudents at BACA as well as the continued support of parents and the localcommunity in helping to raise aspirations."

  1. National

GCSE results 'likely to drop' this year

Teenagers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to receive their GCSE esults. Credit: PA Wire

GCSE results could fall this year amid major upheaval in the exams system, it has been predicted.

Attempts to "secure standards" along with changes to key GCSEs and moves by students to sit different exams could combine to cause a drop in the pass rate, according to one education expert.

The prediction comes as teenagers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland prepare to receive their results.

Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at Buckingham University, said it was "likely" that results will drop this year.


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