Wales forward Pyrs makes Gloucester switch
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The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
Under-performance of boys at GCSE level ‘should be a matter of national concern' professor says
The under-performance of boys at GCSE level has been labelled as 'chronic' and should be treated as a 'major issue', a leading education professor has said. Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, said the talents of boys are not being developed as 'fully' as they could be, which could lead to a 'decline in the nation's economic competitiveness'. He went on to predict that 'girls will continue to be ahead' of boys at that age group. His comments come before pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland receive their GCSE results on Thursday. Prof Smithers said: 'The apparent under-performance of boys at this stage of education should be a matter of national concern. 'But because boys are habitually seen as privileged, it does not receive the attention it deserves.' Last year, more than a fifth (21.8 per cent) of UK GCSE entries were awarded the top grades – at least a 7 or an A grade, down from 22.0 per cent in 2023. But it remained higher than in 2019 – the year before the pandemic – when 20.8 per cent of GCSE entries scored the top grades. The proportion of total female entries awarded grade 7/A or above was 24.7 per cent last year – 5.7 percentage points higher than total male entries (19.0 per cent). Prof Smithers said: 'The chronic under-performance of boys in education should be treated as a major issue. 'It appears that we are not developing the talents of half the population as fully as we could. 'This can only lead to a decline in the nation's economic competitiveness and ultimately loss of its standing in the world.' Ofqual brought A-level grading standards back in line with pre-Covid levels in England in 2023, and exam regulators in Wales and Northern Ireland returned to pre-pandemic grading last summer. The move came after Covid-19 led to an increase in top GCSE grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams. Last week, the proportion of A-level entries awarded top grades rose again on last year and remained above pre-pandemic highs Speaking before GCSE results day, Prof Smithers suggested the proportion of GCSE entries scoring the top grades this year was likely to 'remain high' compared to 2019 – the year before the pandemic. He said: 'It could be we are seeing the emergence of a new normal in which case 2025 will resemble 2024, or the regulators could make a further push to get back to pre-pandemic levels.' While traditional A*-G grades are used for GCSE in Northern Ireland and Wales, these have been replaced in England with a 9-1 system, where 9 is the highest. A 4 is broadly equivalent to a C grade, and a 7 is broadly equivalent to an A. In England, many students who do not secure at least a grade 4 – which is considered a 'standard pass' – in English and/or maths GCSE are required to retake the subjects during post-16 education. In his report, Prof Smithers reiterated calls for a 'policy rethink' on compulsory resits as he suggested they were 'soul-destroying' and 'utterly demoralising'. He said: 'There should be an urgent review of the resit requirement, with a view to replacing it with a programme and qualification which would enable those failing the GCSEs to achieve fluency in the use of words and numbers.' Prof Smithers also reiterated calls for the English Baccalaureate – a government measure which aims to ensure pupils take English, maths, science, a humanities subject and a language at GCSE – to be 'scrapped' as he suggested the policy had 'failed' due to low take-up of foreign languages. Reflecting on provisional exam entries data for England, Prof Smithers highlighted that GCSE entries for French and German have fallen again. Spanish has overtaken French as the most popular foreign language at GCSE, provisional figures from Ofqual in June suggest. In his report, Prof Smithers said: 'Quite why there has been this surge in popularity is unclear, but it may have something to do with the increasing popularity of Spanish-speaking countries as holiday destinations.' He added: 'A more prosaic explanation is that Spanish is seen as easier than French or German.' Department for Education spokesperson said: 'We want every young person, whatever their gender, background or wherever they live to have the opportunity to succeed. 'The curriculum and assessment review is currently considering where improvements should be made to the education system, with its final report and recommendations due in the autumn. 'Later this year we will also bring about the further reforms needed as part of our plan for change through our Schools White Paper to create an education system where every child and young person can achieve and thrive.'
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Cymru Premier round-up: Ferry and Met share the points
Friday, 15 AugustBriton Ferry Llansawel 1-1 Cardiff Met: Briton Ferry Llansawel and Cardiff Met maintained their unbeaten starts with a 1-1 draw on Friday evening at Old Davies gave the hosts the lead six minutes before half-time – his third league goal of the season after two in the 3-0 win at The New Saints. But Jasper Payne scored with a powerful drive against his former club to level the score nine minutes into the second Quay Nomads P-P Bala Town: Match postponed due to issues with water supply in Flintshire. Saturday, 16 AugustBarry Town United v Colwyn Bay; 12:30 BSTCaernarfon Town v Llanelli Town; 14:30 BSTFlint Town United P-P Haverfordwest County: Match postponed due to issues with water supply in v The New Saints; 17:15 BST
BBC News
5 hours ago
- BBC News
Moore ankle injury 'not as bad as feared'
Wrexham forward Kieffer Moore's ankle injury is "not serious" and the Wales international is making good progress, said manager Phil a close-season signing from Sheffield United, was forced off on his Wrexham debut on the opening day of the Championship season at 33-year-old hurt himself as he had a shot blocked in the second half of Wrexham's 2-1 defeat at St Mary' the injury is not as serious as first feared, Moore will still spend some time on the sidelines."Kieffer's obviously not as bad as we feared he could be, so that's really good news for us and we're just monitoring him," Parkinson said. "Kev's [physiotherapist Kevin Mulholland] working on getting the swelling out of the joint, but obviously day by day, he's getting better."When you have an ankle ligament injury like that - similar to Oli Rathbone actually - you always fear that it could be somewhat worse."But it's not a serious injury and he's making really good progress."Wrexham further strengthened their forward options on Friday by signing Moore's fellow Wales striker Nathan Broadhead from Ipswich Town, in a deal which could eventually be worth £ their late opening loss at Southampton, Wrexham will go looking for their first Championship points when they host West Bromwich Albion on Saturday (12:30 BST).
