Press Release
Northern Ireland students continue excellent performance at GCSE
Thousands of students across the province will be receiving their GCSE results this morning and figures show that the performance of Northern Ireland students has continued to improve.
Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on behalf of all the Awarding Bodies operating in Northern Ireland show that of the 205,287 Northern Ireland entries for GCSE Examinations, 7.1% achieved the top A* grade , an increase of 0.2 of a percentage point on last year. There was also a small increase in entries gaining A* - C, rising from 69% in 2003 to 69.4% this year.
Overall entries for GCSE examinations in Northern Ireland are up by just over 0.7%. Although national figures are not due to be released until this Thursday, it is expected that local pupils will continue to outperform their counterparts in England and Wales.
Commenting on the performance of Northern Ireland students, Chief Executive of CCEA Mr Gavin Boyd said:
“Today’s results show that Northern Ireland students have once again performed exceptionally well in their GCSE examinations. They are to be congratulated on their efforts over the past two years. We are all extremely proud of their achievements and wish them well in their future education and career.
I would also like to pay tribute to the teachers whose hard-work and commitment have helped these students excel in their examinations. Each year, the support and guidance provided by Northern Ireland’s excellent teaching force plays a crucial role in the continued improvement of our GCSE students.
GCSEs are highly valued and respected qualifications. They are recognised and sought-after by both employers and centres of further and higher education in the UK and abroad. The excellent achievements of our young people in their GCSE examinations will act as an important stepping-stone to their continued education or employment.”
This summer also saw the first set of results for Northern Ireland students studying the new work-related or ‘applied’ GCSEs. They are designed to offer a more vocationally related experience and are the equivalent of two GCSE’s.
The number of entries in the first year of these qualifications is relatively small (1547). 1.4% of awards were at the A* grade, with 48.2% at A*-C.
Commenting on these new courses Mr Boyd said:
“Applied GCSEs are just one part of CCEA’s development of a range of new work-related qualifications at Key Stage 4 and beyond, allowing students a greater level of choice when selecting their study path, and also preparing them effectively for the world of work.
We are still very much in the early days of applied GCSEs, entry numbers are quite small and it is difficult to identify any patterns or themes in performance.
However, we have done some research comparing these students’ performances in Key Stage 3 tests taken two years ago with their results achieved in applied GCSEs. The results show that their performance in these exams is at least as good as, if not better than expected.”
Approximately 75% of the GCSE results (those for CCEA examinations) will be received by Northern Ireland students today. The remaining results, for examinations taken with other Awarding Bodies, will be made available to students on Thursday 26 August.
The following figures are provisional for 2004 and as such subject to enquiry and appeal (2003 figures are in brackets):
2004 |
NI ONLY |
NATIONAL |
%A* |
7.1 (6.9) |
* (5.1) |
%A* - A |
22.8 (22.3) |
* (16.7) |
%A* - C |
69.4 (69.0) |
* (58.1) |
%A* - G |
97.3 (97.6) |
* (97.6) |
Entries |
205,287(203,777) |
*(5,733,487) |
* Overall GCSE statistics for England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be released by the Joint Council for General Qualifications (JCGQ) on Thursday 26 August 2004.
• Entry numbers increased slightly from 203777 to 205287 (an increase of 1510 – just over 0.7%)
• This year, there was a slight increase at A* from 6.9% to 7.1%. Grades A*-A show a 0.5% increase to 22.8%. Grades A* - C increased by 0.4% to 69.4%. There was a 0.3% decrease in grades A* - G to 97.3%.
Boy/Girl performance figures for Northern Ireland 2004 (2003
in brackets)
• Girls outperform boys at A* by 3.6%(2003- 3.3%),at A* - A by 7.9%(2003 – 7.6%), at A* - C by 8.6% (2003 - 8.8%), and at A* - G by 1.2%.(2003- 1.3%)
2004 |
NI ONLY |
|
Boys |
Girls |
|
%A* |
5.3 (5.2) |
8.9 (8.5) |
%A* - A |
18.7 (18.4) |
26.6 (26.0) |
%A* - C |
64.9 (64.5) |
73.5 (73.3) |
%A* - G |
96.7 (96.9) |
97.9 (98.2) |
The five most popular subjects by entry at GCSE in Northern Ireland are:
Overall |
Boys |
Girls |
|
1 |
Maths 15% |
Maths 15% |
Maths 15% |
2 |
English 13% |
English 13.1% |
English 12.9% |
3 |
DA Science 12.9% |
DA Science 12.8% |
DA Science 12.9% |
4 |
Religious Studies 6.4% |
Religious Studies 5.9% |
Religious Studies 6.7% |
5 |
French 6.1% |
French 5.7% |
French 6.5% |
GCSE – short course
GCSE Short Courses have been increasing in popularity. The Short Course covers half the content of a full GCSE course. In 2004 entry numbers increased from 4867 to 5522 (an increase of 13.5%).
• This year, there was a 0.6% increase at A* from 11.6% to 12.2. Grades A*-A show a 0.5% increase to 27.3%. Grades A* - C increased by 1.7% to 62.7%. There was a 1.4% increase in grades A* - G to 86.4%.
2004 |
NI ONLY |
NATIONAL |
%A* |
12.2 (11.6) |
*(4.4) |
%A* - A |
27.3 (26.8) |
*(13.5) |
%A* - C |
62.7 (61.0) |
*(48.0) |
%A* - G |
86.4 (85.0) |
*(94.9) |
Entries |
5522 (4867) |
*(387,541) |
• Girls outperform boys at A* by 11% (2003- 10.4%), at A* - A by 20.5% (2003 – 17.7%), at A* - C by 22.4% (2003 –20.3%), and at A* - G by 10.6 %( 2003- 10.4%)
2003 |
NI ONLY |
|
Boys |
Girls |
|
%A* |
6.4 (6.0) |
17.4 (16.4) |
%A* - A |
16.5 (17.4) |
37.0 (35.1) |
%A* - C |
51.0 (50.2) |
73.4 (70.5) |
%A* - G |
80.8 (79.5) |
91.4 (89.9) |
Applied GCSEs
A breakdown of performance in the new Applied GCSEs is outlined below. As this is the first year in which these qualifications have been awarded, there is no previous data with which to compare 2004 figures.
| NI APPLIED ONLY | |
| Entries | 1547 |
| A*A* | 1.4 |
| A*A*-AA | 7.0 |
| A*A*-CC | 48.2 |
| A*A*-GG | 94.8 |
Entry Level Certificate (ELC)
The Entry Level Certificate has been developed for those students not expected to achieve a GCSE. It allows for certification in a range of subjects graded 1 – 3. There were 7814 ELC entries in Northern Ireland this year – 5151 (66%) male and 2663 (34%) female.
The overall achievement at Entry level 1 and above is 94.9%. 50.2% achieved entry level 3. Girls outperform boys with 54.3% achieving Entry level 3 as opposed to 48.1% boys; and 95.7% of girls achieving Entry level 1 or above compared to 94.5% boys.
Northern Ireland students continue excellent performance at GCSE
Thousands of students across the province will be receiving their GCSE results this morning and figures show that the performance of Northern Ireland students has continued to improve.
Figures released by the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) on behalf of all the Awarding Bodies operating in Northern Ireland show that of the 205,287 Northern Ireland entries for GCSE Examinations, 7.1% achieved the top A* grade , an increase of 0.2 of a percentage point on last year. There was also a small increase in entries gaining A* - C, rising from 69% in 2003 to 69.4% this year.
Overall entries for GCSE examinations in Northern Ireland are up by just over 0.7%. Although national figures are not due to be released until this Thursday, it is expected that local pupils will continue to outperform their counterparts in England and Wales.
Commenting on the performance of Northern Ireland students, Chief Executive of CCEA Mr Gavin Boyd said:
“Today’s results show that Northern Ireland students have once again performed exceptionally well in their GCSE examinations. They are to be congratulated on their efforts over the past two years. We are all extremely proud of their achievements and wish them well in their future education and career.
I would also like to pay tribute to the teachers whose hard-work and commitment have helped these students excel in their examinations. Each year, the support and guidance provided by Northern Ireland’s excellent teaching force plays a crucial role in the continued improvement of our GCSE students.
GCSEs are highly valued and respected qualifications. They are recognised and sought-after by both employers and centres of further and higher education in the UK and abroad. The excellent achievements of our young people in their GCSE examinations will act as an important stepping-stone to their continued education or employment.”
This summer also saw the first set of results for Northern Ireland students studying the new work-related or ‘applied’ GCSEs. They are designed to offer a more vocationally related experience and are the equivalent of two GCSE’s.
The number of entries in the first year of these qualifications is relatively small (1547). 1.4% of awards were at the A* grade, with 48.2% at A*-C.
Commenting on these new courses Mr Boyd said:
“Applied GCSEs are just one part of CCEA’s development of a range of new work-related qualifications at Key Stage 4 and beyond, allowing students a greater level of choice when selecting their study path, and also preparing them effectively for the world of work.
We are still very much in the early days of applied GCSEs, entry numbers are quite small and it is difficult to identify any patterns or themes in performance.
However, we have done some research comparing these students’ performances in Key Stage 3 tests taken two years ago with their results achieved in applied GCSEs. The results show that their performance in these exams is at least as good as, if not better than expected.”
Approximately 75% of the GCSE results (those for CCEA examinations) will be received by Northern Ireland students today. The remaining results, for examinations taken with other Awarding Bodies, will be made available to students on Thursday 26 August.
The following figures are provisional for 2004 and as such subject to enquiry and appeal (2003 figures are in brackets):
2004 NI ONLY NATIONAL
%A* 7.1 (6.9) * (5.1)
%A* - A 22.8 (22.3) * (16.7)
%A* - C 69.4 (69.0) * (58.1)
%A* - G 97.3 (97.6) * (97.6)
Entries 205,287(203,777) *(5,733,487)
* Overall GCSE statistics for England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be released by the Joint Council for General Qualifications (JCGQ) on Thursday 26 August 2004.
• Entry numbers increased slightly from 203777 to 205287 (an increase of 1510 – just over 0.7%)
• This year, there was a slight increase at A* from 6.9% to 7.1%. Grades A*-A show a 0.5% increase to 22.8%. Grades A* - C increased by 0.4% to 69.4%. There was a 0.3% decrease in grades A* - G to 97.3%.
Boy/Girl performance figures for Northern Ireland 2004 (2003 in brackets)
• Girls outperform boys at A* by 3.6%(2003- 3.3%),at A* - A by 7.9%(2003 – 7.6%), at A* - C by 8.6% (2003 - 8.8%), and at A* - G by 1.2%.(2003- 1.3%)
2004 NI ONLY
Boys Girls
%A* 5.3 (5.2) 8.9 (8.5)
%A* - A 18.7 (18.4) 26.6 (26.0)
%A* - C 64.9 (64.5) 73.5 (73.3)
%A* - G 96.7 (96.9) 97.9 (98.2)
The five most popular subjects by entry at GCSE in Northern Ireland are:
Overall Boys Girls
1 Maths 15% Maths 15% Maths 15%
2 English 13% English 13.1% English 12.9%
3 DA Science 12.9% DA Science 12.8% DA Science 12.9%
4 Religious Studies 6.4% Religious Studies 5.9% Religious Studies 6.7%
5 French 6.1% French 5.7% French 6.5%
GCSE – short course
GCSE Short Courses have been increasing in popularity. The Short Course covers half the content of a full GCSE course. In 2004 entry numbers increased from 4867 to 5522 (an increase of 13.5%).
• This year, there was a 0.6% increase at A* from 11.6% to 12.2. Grades A*-A show a 0.5% increase to 27.3%. Grades A* - C increased by 1.7% to 62.7%. There was a 1.4% increase in grades A* - G to 86.4%.
2004 NI ONLY NATIONAL
%A* 12.2 (11.6) *(4.4)
%A* - A 27.3 (26.8) *(13.5)
%A* - C 62.7 (61.0) *(48.0)
%A* - G 86.4 (85.0) *(94.9)
Entries 5522 (4867) *(387,541)
• Girls outperform boys at A* by 11% (2003- 10.4%), at A* - A by 20.5% (2003 – 17.7%), at A* - C by 22.4% (2003 –20.3%), and at A* - G by 10.6 %( 2003- 10.4%)
2003 NI ONLY
Boys Girls
%A* 6.4 (6.0) 17.4 (16.4)
%A* - A 16.5 (17.4) 37.0 (35.1)
%A* - C 51.0 (50.2) 73.4 (70.5)
%A* - G 80.8 (79.5) 91.4 (89.9)
Applied GCSEs
A breakdown of performance in the new Applied GCSEs is outlined below. As this is the first year in which these qualifications have been awarded, there is no previous data with which to compare 2004 figures.
NI APPLIED ONLY
Entries 1547
A*A* 1.4
A*A*-AA 7.0
A*A*-CC 48.2
A*A*-GG 94.8
Entry Level Certificate (ELC)
The Entry Level Certificate has been developed for those students not expected to achieve a GCSE. It allows for certification in a range of subjects graded 1 – 3. There were 7814 ELC entries in Northern Ireland this year – 5151 (66%) male and 2663 (34%) female.
The overall achievement at Entry level 1 and above is 94.9%. 50.2% achieved entry level 3. Girls outperform boys with 54.3% achieving Entry level 3 as opposed to 48.1% boys; and 95.7% of girls achieving Entry level 1 or above compared to 94.5% boys.
Media enquiries to Ruth Maguire on (028) 9026 1216, Mobile 07796947993. E mail rhmaguire@ccea.org.uk
ENDS
Note to Editors
CCEA is the Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment.
CCEA places learners and those who have a concern for their educational and personal development at the forefront of its thinking. CCEA's mission is:
"To enable the full potential of all learners to be achieved and recognised"
What we do
CCEA is a unique educational body in the UK , bringing together the three areas of curriculum, examinations and assessment.
Advising Government – on what should be taught in Northern Ireland ’s schools and colleges.
Monitoring Standards – ensuring that the qualifications and examinations offered by awarding bodies in Northern Ireland are of an appropriate quality and standard.
Awarding Qualifications
– as Northern Ireland’s leading awarding body we offer a diverse range of qualifications, such as GCSEs, including the new GCSE Double Award specifications in vocational subjects, GCE A and AS levels, Entry Level Qualifications, and Graded Objectives in Modern Languages.
- CCEA also offers a range of Awards and Certificates in Education, Training and Skills (ACETS) targeted at learners who want to get
the knowledge, understanding and skills needed
to hit the ground running in the world of work.
