The proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades has risen from 2025 but the rate scoring a decent pass has returned to pre-pandemic levels, national figures show.

The gap in results between boys and girls has shrunk again, and is at its narrowest point this century.

More students aged 17 and above took English and maths this year – likely driven by pupils in England having to retake those subjects after failing to achieve the key pass rate – but results have worsened.

Hundreds of thousands of pupils across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received GCSE grades and technical awards on Thursday morning to help them progress on to sixth form, college or training.

All year 11 students are able to view their results in an app for the first time this summer following a successful trial last year.

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