GCSE results day 2023: Grades in your area as top results fall
More than a fifth of UK GCSE entries were awarded the top grades
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades has fallen from last year but is higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic, national figures show.
Hundreds of thousands of teenagers across the country received their GCSE exam results on Thursday in a year when efforts have been made in England to return grading to pre-pandemic levels.
More than a fifth (22.0 per cent) of UK GCSE entries were awarded the top grades – at least a 7 or an A grade – this year, down by 4.3 percentage points on last year when 26.3% of entries achieved the top grades.
However, this remains higher than the equivalent figure for 2019 – before the pandemic – of 20.8 per cent.
The figures, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), cover GCSE entries from students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Overall, there were around 203,000 fewer top grades (7/A) compared with last year, but there were 142,000 more top grades awarded this year than in 2019.
Here we take a look at the percentage of GCSE students awarded the top grades (7/A or above) by nation and region, with the equivalent figures for 2022 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019:
– North-east England 17.6% (2022: 22.4%; 2019: 16.4%)
– North-west England 18.6% (2022: 23.1%; 2019: 18.6%)
– Yorkshire & the Humber 18.2% (2022: 22.4%; 2019: 17.8%)
– West Midlands 18.4% (2022: 22.8%; 2019: 18.1%)
– East Midlands 18.5% (2022: 22.5%; 2019: 18.3%)
– Eastern England 21.9% (2022: 26.2%; 2019: 20.5%)
– South-west England 20.8% (2022: 25.3%; 2019: 20.4%)
– South-east England 24.4% (2022: 29.2%; 2019: 23.5%)
– London 28.4% (2022: 32.6%; 2019: 25.7%)
– England 21.6% (2022: 26.0%; 2019: 20.7%)
– Wales 21.7% (2022: 25.1%; 2019: 18.4%)
– Northern Ireland 34.5% (2022: 37.0%; 2019: 30.5%)
– All 22.0% (2022: 26.3%; 2019: 20.8%)
Here is the GCSE pass rate (entries awarded 4/C or above) by nation and region:
– North-east England 65.3% (2022: 71.2%; 2019: 63.8%)
– North-west England 64.8% (2022: 70.3%; 2019: 64.9%)
– Yorkshire & the Humber 64.4% (2022: 69.6%; 2019: 64.1%)
– West Midlands 63.9% (2022: 69.9%; 2019: 63.8%)
– East Midlands 65.8% (2022: 71.5%; 2019: 65.8%)
– Eastern England 68.6% (2022: 73.7%; 2019: 67.1%)
– South-west England 69.2% (2022: 74.2%; 2019: 68.3%)
– South-east England 70.7% (2022: 75.5%; 2019: 70.2%)
– London 72.6% (2022: 76.7%; 2019: 70.6%)
– England 67.8% (2022: 73.0%; 2019: 67.1%)
– Wales 64.9% (2022: 68.6%; 2019: 62.8%)
– Northern Ireland 86.8% (2022: 90.0%; 2019: 82.2%)
– All 68.2% (2022: 73.2%; 2019: 67.3%)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments