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Prof. Smithers Urges Inquiry into Boys' GCSE Struggles

8/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Prof. Smithers calls for an inquiry into boys' under-performance in GCSEs, as girls excelled in 42 of 47 subjects.
He warns this trend could harm the nation's economic competitiveness.
Education experts advocate addressing grade inflation and reevaluating compulsory re-sits for English and maths.
Ministers are considering replacing mandatory re-sits with a competency certificate.

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Story summary

Prof. Smithers calls for an inquiry into boys' under-performance in GCSEs, as girls excelled in 42 of 47 subjects.
He warns this trend could harm the nation's economic competitiveness.
Education experts advocate addressing grade inflation and reevaluating compulsory re-sits for English and maths.
Ministers are considering replacing mandatory re-sits with a competency certificate.