GCSE results 2015: rise in number of students taking STEM subjects

The Department for Education has announced a rise in the number of pupils taking STEM - science, technology, engineering and maths – subjects at GCSE level.

The department said that, compared to 2014, today’s figures showed GCSE entries rise in the following subjects:

• Maths – up 24,827 (3.4% rise)
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• Computer science – up 18,641 (111.1% rise)
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• Science – up 20,523 (5.5% rise)
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• Engineering – up 1,882 (37.4% rise)
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Education secretary, Nicky Morgan, said:

“Today marks the culmination of years of hard work for pupils, teachers and parents and I want to congratulate them on their achievements.

“Thanks to our reforms focused on extending opportunity, a generation of young people from all backgrounds are now securing the GCSEs that help give them the widest range of options later in life – whether looking for a rewarding job or a top apprenticeship.

“This not only benefits the students involved, it means our work force for the future is properly trained to compete in a global economy.”