GCSE results: More pupils get with program as computer studies entries double

THE number of pupils taking the computing GCSE has more than doubled after it was included in the English baccalaureate qualification, new figures reveal.

Exam chiefs hailed the change, saying it means Britain has a new “computing pipeline” that will be able to fill top jobs in the future. Results published today show that the number of students taking non-EBacc subject such as art, drama and music have all stayed stable despite fears that students would drop them in favour of more academic subjects.

But numbers taking modern foreign languages continue to plummet, even in Spanish — which in recent years had been increasing.

The total number of modern foreign language entries this year was 302,518, compared with 320, 961 last year. But there has been an increase in good results, with the number of A*s in Spanish reaching 13.8 per cent with French up to 10 per cent.

Andrew Hall of exam board AQA said: “Modern foreign language outcomes are up. If you have students who are very confident in languages taking them it is not surprising they perform well. The reducing entry means the stronger candidates are left, and they are more confident.”

While the numbers taking computing GCSE are increasing, the grades have dropped, for the same reason. The A* to C pass rate dropped by 0.4 per cent, possibly because weaker candidates are now sitting the exam.

Other subjects to see increases include religious studies which is up by 4.8 per cent, and PE which is up 6.7 per cent. Mr Hall said: “Subjects that people were worried would be squeezed out have not been. There are really strong continuing entries in broader creative subjects. Students are focusing on the core subjects but are not giving up on these other subjects.”

Lesley Davies of Pearson exam board said: “It is great that we have a doubling of entries in computing. We have a real computing pipeline coming along.

“People at 14 are looking at where they want to go in the future and are showing a maturity that I did not have at that age.”