TWENTY thousand school children’s BEST grade was an E in their GCSE’s last year
Ministers have been warned that pupils are being left on the educational 'scrapheap' and ruining their life chances
TWENTY thousand school children only achieved an E grade at GCSE last year, figures show.
Ministers have been warned that pupils are being left on the educational “scrapheap” for attaining lower grades.
Figures show that 19,380 students achieved an E as their highest grade amounting to around three per cent of those taking the exams.
Data compiled by the Department for Education also found that 44,699 obtained a D grade and 111,815 a C grade as their best mark.
The research shows that there were 611,081 pupils at the end of their final GCSE year.
It compares with 26,549 pupils attaining an E grade as their favoured result five years previously.
The figures were uncovered by Lib Dem leader Tim Farron in a Parliamentary written question who said pupils were underachieving.
He said: “Many of these students are able to do much better but have not had the help and support they deserve.
“Slashing the education budget is having a real impact in schools and here is the evidence.
“This government seem happy to consign many people who don’t make the grade to the scrapheap. I believe education matters and I am committed to not letting this happen.
“I want to see more targeted support, catch up classes and individual student action plans to help these students get the grades they deserve.”
Pass marks at GCSEs are currently graded from A* to G.
It comes as Justine Greening was appointed the new Secretary of State for Education taking over from Nicky Morgan.
A Department for Education spokesperson said: “Since 2010, over 1.4 million more children attend the best schools in our country and every time we have raised the bar for schools they have risen to meet the challenge - this is testament to the hard work of teachers and pupils.
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“Our reforms are driving up standards and ensuring all pupils have access to an excellent education, regardless of background.”