Pupils receive GCSE results

Tens of thousands of pupils in the South and South East are receiving their GCSE results this morning amid fears that we'll see a drop in performance.

The regulator Ofqual has already warned schools and colleges that tougher new exams in science will mean students have to reach a higher standard to be awarded the same grades as in previous years.

There are more demanding qualifications in Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Additional Science and Applied Additional Science.

It's part of government plans to raise standards and crack down on rising pass rates and high numbers of top grades. GCSE qualifications are set to be changed in the future to be based on final exams only with only limited opportunities for resits.

A particularly close watch is being kept on today's results on the Isle of Wight and in Medway - these local authorities were recently put under scrutiny by the school inspection body Ofsted for their poor performance.