HUNDREDS of Hampshire pupils are leaving school without basic skills in maths and English, the Daily Echo can reveal.

Fewer than four in ten pupils (36.10 per cent) at Southampton's secondary schools scored at least five C grades in their GCSE subjects including maths and English.

Across Hampshire just over half of pupils (50.2 per cent) achieved the same benchmark, new figures released today reveal. Head teachers of some of the region's worst performing schools have pledged to do better with a greater focus on the two core subjects.

It is the first time the league tables have judged schools on their basic literacy and numeracy levels at GCSE.

Now all schools must show the proportion of pupils scoring at least five C grades in subjects including English and maths. Previously schools were able to include results for any five GCSEs or equivalent vocational subjects.

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