GCSEs: A* Pupil Numbers Fall For Fourth Year

The number of school children achieving A* GCSE grades has fallen slightly for the fourth year in a row, official figures have revealed. The data published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) shows that 6.6% of pupils received the top mark this summer - a fall of 0.1%. JCQ director general Michael Turner said: "At a national level there is very little change in this year's results but we do see educational policies continuing to have an effect on entry patterns and results at a subject level.