GCSE pass rate dips as students receive results
The percentage of entries achieving a 'standard pass' (grade 4/C or above) saw a slight decline to 67.4 per cent, though remaining marginally higher than in 2019.
The gender gap at the highest grades has narrowed to its tightest point this century, with girls ' lead over boys at 5.1 percentage points for grades 7/A or above.
Ofqual's chief regulator, Sir Ian Bauckham, described this year's results as 'stable' following the return to pre-pandemic grading standards in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Concerns have been raised about a 'resit crisis' in English and Maths, with a high number of resits and a low success rate for students needing to achieve a grade 4.
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BBC News
7 minutes ago
- BBC News
'Inappropriate seating' on Ilfracombe boat trip led to paralysis
An accident on a sea safari boat trip that left a passenger paralysed was caused by the use of "inappropriate" seating, specialist investigators have said.A passenger was thrown from a seat at the front of the rigid inflatable boat (RIB) Lundy Explorer when the boat hit a high wave as it was leaving Ilfracombe harbour in Devon on 7 June Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) concluded jockey seats were not safe for use in the front third of RIBs, which experience higher shock loads than the rest of the MAIB recommended Ilfracombe Sea Safari Limited install sensors that measure vibrations and shock in real-time so crew can adjust their actions accordingly. The MAIB also concluded the local weather conditions had deteriorated quickly, which had resulted in increased wave heights that the RIB's skipper had not expected. 'A persistent issue' The investigators also found the pre-departure safety briefing had not included adequate instruction on the use of the seats, which had left the passengers unaware of the chief inspector of marine accidents Andrew Moll said the passenger had been injured in a "dreadful accident" in which "inappropriate seating arrangements" had been used. He said: "Despite being in good health and wearing appropriate safety equipment, she was dislodged from her seat and sustained a spinal injury that has resulted in permanent paralysis."Mr Moll said the accident had not been an isolated incident: "Our previous investigations have shown a pattern of similar injuries occurring, which suggests that safety on commercial RIB operations is a persistent issue that the industry can do more to address."The MAIB said current regulations did not reference safety standards for the design, position and use of seats on high-speed RIBs. The accident investigator advised the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to extend its anthropometric assessment, which assesses the size, weight and proportion of a body, so that it includes vertical impacts from high-speed commercial vessels in varied sea conditions and also recommended that the MCA introduced a requirement to assess and mitigate the risk of passengers who sit in the front third of commercial RIBs and speedboats in its code of MAIB advised Ilfracombe Sea Safari Limited to implement safety management that included what to do when conditions changed, pre-departure safety briefs, risk assessments and use of jockey Moll concluded: "I urge all operators to take action. Review seating arrangements, give thorough safety briefings before every voyage and conduct risk assessments."
Daily Mail
7 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
'Extraordinary' skydiver, 32, who plunged to her death 'deliberately' took her own life day after breaking up with her boyfriend, inquest told
An experienced skydiver deliberately plunged to her death when she chose not to deploy her parachutes during a 15,000ft jump after splitting from her boyfriend, an inquest has heard. 'Deeply loved' Jade Damarell, 32, died instantly following a 60-second freefall in Shotton Colliery, County Durham, after penning notes 'apologising' to her family in the early hours of the morning. The skydiver had completed more than 500 jumps without incident including six on the day before her death on April 27. It was initially thought her death was a tragic accident, but it emerged that on the morning of the incident, Ms Damarell had chosen not to wear her GoPro camera, as she usually would, and 'made no attempt' to deploy her main or reserve parachutes, which were both in good working order. An inquest at Crook Coroners' Court, County Durham this morning heard Ms Damarell had also chosen not to switch on a safety mechanism, known as an AAD, which automatically deploys the reserve parachute if the skydiver is unable to do so. In a statement read to the inquest by coroner Dr Leslie Hamilton, Ms Damarell's mother, Elizabeth, said her daughter 'lived a life filled with achievement; adventure; kindness; generosity of spirit and freedom.' She added: 'She excelled academically and inspired those around her.' Ms Damarell, who worked as a marketing manager for Silver Spoon after graduating from Leeds university, had been living in lodgings near to the airfield and had undertaken more than 80 jumps this year. This is a breaking news story and it will be updated.
Telegraph
16 minutes ago
- Telegraph
‘Crazy paving' in town blamed for spate of mobility scooter crashes
Renovations of 'crazy paving' and 'ski slope' walkways have been blamed for a spate of mobility scooter crashes in a market town. St Editha's Square in Tamworth, Staffordshire, was reopened on June 21 after a £1.3 million regeneration project. But in under two months, at least seven elderly and disabled people are thought to have been left injured after trips and falls while out shopping amid the 'disorientating' pink and white paving. The problem is being blamed on 'ski-slope' ramps, 'trip hazard' flower beds and the 'disorientating' pink and white design of the new paving. Sue Vaughan, 67, owner of the Market Cafe, said people on mobility scooters had been 'toppling over coming down the slopes' and she was aware at least seven have been injured. She said: 'One elderly man came off his mobility scooter and another had to be taken to hospital with a head injury. 'Others have injured their knees and ankles. It is just awful for customers of mine to be injured, it makes me feel disgusted. 'Anyone on walkers or Zimmer frames come out of shops and on to the slope and it's proving very dangerous as the nearby planters have sharp edges.' She said the problem was being exacerbated by crumbling paving stones. 'They are perishing and falling away – they've not even been there five minutes and it has cost the council millions,' she said, adding: 'It's a real shame as they haven't improved the area at all in my opinion. It is a complete waste of money.' Stef Brown, 31, from Tamworth, added: 'The crazy paving is a bit of an eyesore and quite disorientating, so no wonder people are falling. 'We've got the Snowdome down the road, so we don't need more ski slopes in the town centre. They've spent millions making the place a death trap. 'It's just a huge waste of money.' In February, Ben Newman, known as Spudman on TikTok, won a battle to keep trading on the square after plans to replace his spot with a flowerbed were scrapped. The 40-year-old said: 'The paving is terrible quality and literally falls away in people's hands. We're losing traders over it – we're down from seven market traders to just three. 'We've had nine months of disruption, ended up with this and I have no idea how it has cost £1.3 million. 'It's just pure incompetence on the council's part.' Sarah Gayton, who campaigns on issues affecting blind people, also trades in the square. She questioned how the development was signed off in the first place. She added: 'The level difference between the shops and the walkway by Sue's cafe is like a ski slope. 'There is absolutely no colour contrast of the flower beds which make them an instant trip hazard.' 'Ambitious regeneration plan' Tamworth Borough Council said the square met all required safety standards, but it would remove the flower beds to 'create a flat, more open space'. The local authority said it's in the process of delivering a £21 million 'ambitious regeneration plan' to 'transform' the town centre. Carol Dean, leader of the council, expressed her 'sincere concern' over an injury to a man on the square. She said: 'The well-being and safety of our residents, especially those who are elderly or living with disabilities, is our absolute priority.' Ms Dean said while St Editha's Square meets all required safety standards, the feedback received has persuaded the council to remove the planters to create a flat, more open space. She added: 'There is a natural gradient due to the different ground levels within the space, but our priority has been to create an environment without steps. 'We will continue to work closely with local residents and traders to make sure St Editha's Square remains a safe and welcoming space for all.'
