GCSE grades fall for second year

Identical twins Jennifer and Rachel Thompson took the same subjects, got the same grades, and even the same mark in one exam.

Katie Oakes reports:

A nine-year-old boy who passed his GCSE maths exam with the top grade today compared the test to a puzzle-solving computer game.

Abhinav Santhiramohan, from Luton, was awarded an A* after taking his GCSE exam seven years early. He even completed the paper with 45 minutes to spare.

Abhinav, who attends Meads Primary School in Luton, now hopes to take his A-level maths exam when he turns 11.

"I felt nervous and confident at the same time," he said. "When I found out it was an A*, it was really surprising."

Ten year old Monty Rix from St Austell has achieved a grade 'B' in his GCSE Astronomy.

He is the youngest person in the country to study the subject and follows in the footsteps of his father.

Our Cornwall Reporter Steve Hardy visited Monty back in February.

Here is his report again:

The head of education and skills policy at the Institute of Directors said "several factors" led to a drop in GCSE grades this year, meaning "we should look beyond simple year-on-year comparisons".

Read: Exam success for Sir Winston Churchill's relative

The great-granddaughter of Sir Winston Churchill, from East Sussex, has received one of the best results in her school year.

Isabella Soames, who is 16-years-old, was also scouted by leading modelling agency Storm, who also work with Kate Moss and Lily Cole.

The teenager, who is the daughter of Conservative Mid Sussex MP Nicholas Soames, gained 11 A*s at independent Brighton College.

The school's headteacher, Richard Cairns, said: "I think it is a proud moment for the city that a Brighton school can outperform much more selective schools in London and elsewhere in the South East."

"I really do believe that if you have a kind, considerate and supportive environment, children will achieve more than you might expect. Happy children are, by and large, successful children."

The proportion of pupils getting the top grades in GCSEs at a school in Norwich has risen to 75% this year compared to 38% just three years ago.

The Executive Principal of Ormiston Victory Academy in Costessey, Rachel De Souza, said: "I cannot tell you how proud and delighted I am. It's all come from hard work and commitment."