Fear for boys let down by education system

SUCCESSIVE governments have “turned a blind eye” to the plight of boys in education, leaving them at risk of poor grades, idleness and criminality, a new report declares.

- By Lucy Johnston SOCIAL AFFAIRS EDITOR

Following this year’s exam results, the analysis - released today by think-tank the Centre for Policy Research on Men and Boys - shows boys are still underachieving across the board, with life-limiting consequences.

In the GCSE results published on Thursday, 24.5% of girls secured top grades of 7 As or higher, compared with just 19.4% of boys.

Overall, 70.5% of girls gained a grade C or above, versus 64.3% of boys.

Across A-level results, out a week earlier, a higher share of boys secured A or A* grades than girls but fewer boys stay on at schools or colleges for A-levels. And when B and C grades were included, boys fell behind girls.