Vocational courses 'used to boost results'

Schools are inflating examination results by forcing pupils to ditch GCSEs in favour of easier vocational courses, according to research. By Graeme Paton, Education Editor Record numbers of pupils gained top marks Photo: REUTERS The latest national results published are expected to show record numbers of pupils gained top marks. A fifth of grades is expected to be an A* or A and almost half of pupils will gain five good GCSEs, including the core subjects of English and mathematics. It will be the first set of results for pupils spending their entire school life under Labour after starting primary education in September 1997. But a study by the think tank Civitas said many schools were using vocational qualifications - worth up to four high GCSEs - to boost their overall scores. Researchers said courses, which are counted... [read full story]