Record-breaking school GCSE results are due to of the hard work put in by pupils and those in teaching jobs, it has been claimed.

Christine Blower, general secretary of education body the National Union of Teachers (NUT), has heaped praise upon the high quality of education professionals currently in work.

''Overall the GCSE results are again a massive vote of confidence in young people and their teachers,'' the NUT leader said.

''The continuing improvement in results in the sciences, and English and mathematics demonstrates the high quality and effectiveness of comprehensive education.''

However, Ms Blower said that the continued decline in the number of pupils taking modern languages should be viewed as a cause for concern.

Indeed, she urged the government to take action and implement a policy whereby students were required to take at least one language while they studied.

Her comments come after it was revealed that French has dropped off the list of the top-ten most popular GCSE subjects taken by young people.

Capita, the UK's leading supply teaching agency.