The proportion of teenagers scoring at least five Cs at GCSE including English and maths has fallen for the first time, official figures show.
In total, 58.6% of pupils in England achieved five A*-C grades, including the two key subjects, down almost half a percent on 2011, according to Government data.
Statisticians said the drop was down to fewer English entries from private schools, but there are also likely to be concerns that issues with this year's GCSE English grading may have played a part.
The figures show that one in four pupils were entered for all the subjects in the Government's English Baccalaureate, with 18.1% achieving the EBacc.
This is up on last year, when 23.8% entered and 17.6% achieved it.
Teenagers are awarded the EBacc if they score a C grade or higher in English, maths, science, history or geography, and a language.
