Figures show that fewer than half – 44 per cent – were even entered for separate GCSEs in English, maths, science, a foreign language and either history or geography. The disclosure will reignite the debate over the education of England’s brightest children amid concerns that too many are being allowed to coast in mixed ability schools. It will also lead to renewed fears that schools are failing to promote rigorous academic subjects in favour of less demanding qualifications to improve headline results.
Chris McGovern, a former headmaster and chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the figures represented a “betrayal of a generation”.
