Christine Blower, the general secretary of the National Union of Teachers, criticises direction of government:

"GCSE results this year are outstanding and the hard work that has gone into them should be applauded.

"The fact that modern languages continue to decline, however, is disappointing, especially taking into account our place in a global society and economy."

"For all young people to be able to reach their full potential, we need to rid ourselves of this idea that an education system familiar to those who attended school towards the middle of the last century is the only way forward."