Figures show pupils not sitting core GCSEs

One in 14 pupils in England left school without sitting a GCSE in the core subjects last year, it has been revealed.

Answering a question from shadow schools secretary Michael Gove, ministers said 44,101 pupils did not sit an examination in either English or maths, according to the BBC.

Mr Gove told the news provider that the figures showed the government is letting children down.

"Every year tens of thousands of students are not even sitting the core GCSE subjects of English and maths that they need to continue studying or get a job," he said.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families pledged to support teachers and said that changes should be made to ensure schools do not suffer from low attainment.

A £200 million programme has been announced by the government to ensure at least 30 per cent of pupils leave secondary school with five GCSE passes, including English and maths.

Figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications show that 62.2 per cent of pupils obtained an English GSCEs grade A* to C in 2007, while 55.2 per cent received an A* to C in maths.