Improved GCSE results for Cambridgeshire following exam grading changes

Students in Cambridgeshire have achieved improved GCSE results this year despite changes to the grading system.

The new GCSE exams for 20 subjects, as with those in English and mathematics last year, are now graded from 9 (top) to 1 (bottom) with a grade 4 accepted as a standard pass (equivalent to the former grade C) and a grade 5 a good pass.

In Cambridgeshire 5,300 students sat the exams in schools across the county.

In maths 74 per cent of students achieved a grade from 4-9 (at least a standard pass) an increase of 1.5 per cent on 2017 and 54 per cent achieved at least a grade 5 (up 0.9per cent). In 2018 79per cent achieved at least a grade 4 in English, an increase of 1.4 per cent, with 64 per cent achieving a strong pass (at least a grade 5) an improvement of 1.6 per cent.

The proportion of students achieving a grade 4 or above in both English and mathematics in Cambridgeshire was 68 per cent, 1 per cent higher than last year, with 47.5 per cent achieving a grade 5 or better (up 0.9 per cent). National outcomes are not yet available as a comparison.

Councillor Simon Bywater, chairman of the Children and Young People Committee said: “First of all, I would like to say a big well done to every young person in Cambridgeshire who collected their exam results yesterday. I would also like to thank teachers, leaders and trustees at all the academy trusts for their hard work, support and partnership in delivering these improved results.

“At a time when GCSEs are getting more challenging it is encouraging that we are seeing better results than last year for both English and maths.”