GCSE results 2016
GCSE results published today show there has been a marked overall decline in attainment, with the proportion of entries across all subjects achieving A* to C down from 69% to 66.9%.
This drop is less pronounced in chemistry, with 90.3% of students achieving grades A* to C, down from 91.2% last year.
Results for combined science have shown a bigger decrease, with only 52.9% of students achieving A* to C, down from 56.7% in 2015.
Background figures
A total of 408,569 students sat the combined science GCSE, which is 7.8% of the total number of GCSEs, and 141,245 students sat chemistry GCSE, which is 2.7% of the total number. Given that almost three times as many students take combined science than chemistry, this could be an issue for those doing combined science who go onto take science subjects at A-level.
Inspiring the next generation
I hope you will be part of the next generation of scientists who tackle the big challenges facing our world, from climate change to antimicrobial resistance.
Clare Viney, Royal Society of Chemistry director of membership and external affairs, said: “We will be working with teachers and colleagues in education to understand why we have seen a drop in grades and whether this is a cause for concern.”
“I’m very pleased to see, however, that numbers of students taking GCSE chemistry have increased, as have numbers taking other science subjects. It’s also heartening that the gender split remains balanced in chemistry and in combined science.”
She added: “Congratulations to all the students who received your results today. We need more young people with STEM skills so that the UK remains one of the best places in the world for science and innovation.
“I hope you will be part of the next generation of scientists who tackle the big challenges facing our world, from climate change to antimicrobial resistance. On behalf of the Royal Society of Chemistry, I wish you every success in the future.”