GCSE pupils who are born later in the year tend to do less well in their
exams, according to new figures from the Department for Education.
Children born in August are the youngest in the school year and they
consistently perform worse than children in their year who are older.
The difference in age can affect children throughout their school life. At
age five, children born early in the school year perform significantly
better and develop faster than those born late in the school year. The gap
is less obvious by age 11 and again at age 16, but the difference does
still affect GCSE results, according to the figures.
Around half of pupils gain five GCSEs between A and C grade. However,
children who are younger in their year are six per cent less likely to
achieve five good GCSEs. Overall, some 10,000 later-born children fail to
achieve good GCSE grades each year.
The impact of this can last beyond school, with summer-born children less
likely to take academic A levels and attend university. They are also more
likely to be unhappy at school, need extra assistance and be bullied.
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