On your marks...

THOUSANDS of teenagers were opening their GCSE results today.

Nervous youngsters across Greater Manchester finally found out their grades from around 9am.

This year even more subjects will be graded using the new numerical system in 20 ‘reformed’ subjects.

Traditional A* to Gs have been scrapped and replaced with a nine to one system, with nine the highest grade, as part of a move to ‘toughen up’ GCSEs.

Last year, one in five GCSE entries scored at least an A, or a seven under the new system, while two-thirds scored the equivalent of a C.

Headteachers have raised concerns that the new grading system sends a ‘demoralising message’ to students who are likely to score lower results in their exams.

School leaders say a ‘better way’ needs to be found to recognise the achievement of teenagers who score lower than a four, which is the equivalent of a C under the old system.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) said it had concerns about pupils performing at the lower end of the grading scale.

“The government’s intention is that the new system provides greater differentiation between grades,” Malcolm Trobe, ASCL general secretary said.

“For example, it replaces A* and A with three grades, seven, eight and nine.

“Our concern, however, is over those pupils at the other end of the scale who are taking exams which are harder than their predecessors, and who have been told by the government that a grade four is a ‘standard pass’ and a grade five is a ‘strong pass.’

“That is a very demoralising message to those who achieve grades one, two and three, and the new system does not work very well for them at all.

“These young people have completed demanding programmes of study and we need to find a better way to credit their achievements.”

There have been suggestions in recent weeks that marks needed to get certain grades could be lower this year for new GCSEs compared with the old system.

The Manchester Evening News will provide updates throughout GCSE results on our dedicated live blog. Schools, pupils and proud parents can share their achievements with our education reporter, Charlotte Dobson, on Twitter @dobsonMEN