GCSEs: Wales' pupils results fall but gap closes with UK

Pupils in Wales have closed the gap with the rest of the UK at achieving the highest GCSE grades.

But overall A* to C grades have fallen for the first time in more than a decade.

A total of 65.4% achieved A* to C results, which the education minister called "encouraging," although this is a slight fall on 2011.

One union said it was "puzzling" that the concentration on literacy and numeracy had not shown up in results.

Overall the headline results showed:

The fall in A* to C passes follows a trend being seen across the UK.

Experts say the difference can be explained largely by a change in the way English and Science qualifications are assessed.

It is, frankly, puzzling that after relentless concentration on numeracy and literacy this has not shown up in these results”

Education Minister Leighton Andrews was at Cynffig Comprehensive School in Kenfig Hill, near Bridgend, as results were handed out.

"Students across Wales, like those in Cynffig who I am visiting today, deserve our congratulations as they take this significant step on their learning journey," he said.

"Our students' performance in GCSEs shows the overall pass rate remains at 98.7%, with passes at A*-C at 65.4% which is encouraging."

Teaching union ATL Cymru says the results were a mixed bag and no quick judgments should be made.

Dr Philip Dixon, the union's director urged caution and patience in interpreting the results.

'Obviously some of these results will be of concern to the profession - and to the Welsh government...but rash judgments and quick political point scoring will not help," he said.

"It is, frankly, puzzling that after relentless concentration on numeracy and literacy this has not shown up in these results."

Mr Andrews has said tackling problems with literacy and numeracy were two of his priorities.

A survey from the Federation of Small Businesses in Wales meanwhile warned school leavers were lacking in basic skills.

Furthermore, secondary schools in Wales are now ranked in bands, which the Welsh government says is to highlight those schools which require extra support.

Schools are judged on 12 categories, which include GCSE performance and pupil attendance levels. They are rewarded if they make progress in those areas.

The number of pupils eligible for free school meals is also taken into account.

Schools will be banded again in December so this year's GCSE results will matter. Small differences can make significant banding changes.