THE number of Welsh students getting A* at GCSE has fallen for a second year in a row.

The proportion of Welsh students getting the top grade fell from 6.5 per cent in 2012 to 6.1 per cent this year.

Meanwhile the percentage of entrants receiving A*-C fell slightly from 65.8 per cent to 65.7 per cent – also the second percentage fall in two years.

In Science, more challenging exams led to falls in the proportion of students getting grade C and up, from 57.3 per cent in 2012 to 51.2 per cent this year.

But the Joint Council for Qualifications says that Wales is closing the gap with the rest of the GCSE-taking UK on top A*-A grades.

The JEC said the gap is narrowed from 3.2 per cent in 2012 to 2.1 per cent in 2013.

Girls continued to out perform boys with the gap widening at all grades, the JCQ said. Some 7.6 per cent and 22.8 per cent of girls achieved A* and A grades respectively.

That’s compared to 4.6 per cent of boys for A* and 15.4 per cent for A grades.

A total of 5,455 more students entered the English GCSE than in 2012, with 2,613 15 year olds taking part, but those getting A*-C fell from 60.9 per cent to 59.6 per cent.

The JCQ blamed the large increase in entries from 15 year olds for the fall in overall outcomes. It was the first time the Wales-set GCSE took place.

In Maths 52.8 per cent of students achieved A*-C, down on 55.5 per cent in 2012 - the reduction being partially explained by students taking part in exams held in November.