Today is GCSE results day, and as ever that is cause for celebration: one in five entries got at least a grade seven (equivalent to an A).

However, despite all the headline photos of smiling faces, proud parents and carefully open envelopes, the GCSE pass rate for English and Maths has hit a record low: only 58 per cent of students achieved a four or above in Maths, whilst only 60 per cent did in English. 

GCSE English Language is a strange subject. To understand why so many people fail it, you need to understand that it isn’t really a test of English Language

How have we ended up in a situation in which two in five of all pupils – and four in five of white British children on free school meals – are not achieving a pass in the only two compulsory subjects?

Something has to change. Plenty of media and political attention focuses on the importance of GCSE English Literature: think of all the recent discussions over whether or not to diversify or ‘decolonise’ the curriculum, how to make texts more ‘relatable’ and ‘accessible’, if closed-book exams are too reliant on rote-learning. 

Yet there is almost........

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