SOME local schools did very well when the GCSE results were announced yesterday.

Others saw results in some subjects affected by a move away from coursework. Final exams now count for more.

At York High School, head teacher David Ellis blamed a fall in the number of pupils getting 5 A*-C grades on “an assessment based mainly on longer exams”.

Not all students are good at swotting for exams. The worry must be that the new system of assessment will put these at a disadvantage.

Those from less well off backgrounds are already at disadvantage enough. If the new system increases that gap, Ministers would do well to think again.