GCSE grades drop in English, maths and science

GCSE grades have fallen for a second consecutive year, with a drop in the proportion of entries scoring at least a C in English, maths and science.

• In English, 63.6% of entries gained a C or higher, down from 64.1% last summer.

• In maths, 57.6% of entries scored an A*-C grade, compared to 58.4% in 2012.

• In Science, there has been a 7.6% fall in the proportion of entries awarded a C grade or higher.

The drop in English comes amid a rise in the number of younger students taking the GCSE exams, the Joint Council for Qualifications said.

The fall in Science follows a move by Ofqual to toughen up the qualifications after a 2009 report by the regulator found that the courses were too easy.