Resources for school trusts around GCSE and Level 2 results
Headlines
Context
2025 results are regarded overall to be very similar to those of 2024, with some small differences that are worth noting. We set out some of these below. It’s worth remembering that due to the pandemic we don’t have Key Stage 2 baseline information for this cohort (more on this below).
Ofqual and the exam boards are absolutely clear that the usual processes they use to set standards, for example making small adjustments to grade boundaries where needed in order to maintain quality over time, mean the public can have confidence in the grades young people secure today. At GCSE this includes the use of the National Reference Test (NRT), which indicates a picture of overall stability over time in English and maths.
This whole area of how grading is undertaken is quite complex and misconceptions do appear from time to time. For this reason Ofqual has developed this year some helpful resources to clarify the process.
It is worth noting that GCSE data we’ll see reported today can be a little noisy in that in some instances in is based on the 16-year old population only, and in some cases it will include GCSE results of post-16 students. It is worth noting there is a 14% increase in post-16-year-olds getting GCSE results today. This is due to the greater number of post-16 students taking English language and maths resits. But performance within the 16-year-old age group and within the 17+ age group is broadly similar year on year.
As a reminder, don’t forget on Thursday, 11 September 9:30-10:30, we will hold a free member webinar tailored specifically for our trustees and governance leaders to discuss the 2024-25 results, including GCSEs, A levels, Vocational Technical Qualifications (VTQs) and T levels. Trustees and governors can register for this session on CST’s professional community platform – more information about how to join our professional communities is available here.
GCSEs
- Overall results are similar to 2024. Outcomes at grade 7 and above are 21.8% compared with 21.6% in 2024, and outcomes at grade 4 and above are 67.1% compared with 67.4% in 2024.
- 5,661,970 GCSE results were issued, representing a very small drop on 2024.
- It is worth noting the size of the 16-year-old population is down on 2024 (0.3%)
- The average number of GCSEs for 16-year-olds remains stable at 7.8.
- The top 10 subjects for entries remain unchanged but statistics saw the largest increase in entries (9.5% up on 2024).
- There has been a fall in separate science entries (biology down 5.8%, chemistry down 6%), and also in history (5.7%)
- Following longer term trends, MfL entries are down again in French and German. However, they are up slightly in Spanish.
- Music entries are up by 6.1%
- Overall results for 16-year-olds at all GCSE grades (7/A, 4/C, 1/G) remain higher for female students compared to male students. However, there has been a slight reduction in the difference:
- At 7/A the difference between females and males has reduced 0.5pp compared with 2024.
- At 4/C the difference between females and males has reduced 0.6pp compared with 2024.
- At 1/G the difference has reduced 0.1pp compared with 2024.
- The National Reference Test (NRT) results indicate the apparent slight rise in maths performance noted last year seems to have levelled off. In English, performance in 2025 may have improved marginally relative to 2024, back to a level similar to that seen in 2023. So, overall the NRT has been interpreted as underscoring a general picture of stability in English and maths over time (looking from 2017 to 2025). Consequently Ofqual “decided not to require an adjustment to the awarding of either GCSE English language or GCSE maths for summer 2025.”
- As with last week’s L3 results, there is a continuation of established trends of regional difference in outcomes, albeit with a very slight decline in London’s lead over other regions.
Vocational & Technical Qualifications (VTQ)
- 360,000 VTQ results were awarded.
- Tech awards made up 348,441 of these, with 12,104 being technical certificates.
- Sport, leisure and recreation is the most popular VTQ by some distance.
Secondary School Performance Information: reminder
The DfE previously confirmed that it will suspend publication of Progress 8 during 2025 and 2026 due to the absence of key stage 2 prior attainment data. Attainment 8 and other measures will continue to be published. They have confirmed their intention to restart publication as soon as the data permits.
The most recently available Progress 8 scores (from 2023/24 and 2022/23) will be published in performance tables alongside the remaining headline measures. Progress measures will be published for other key stages.
Some organisations have proposed a variety of proxy measures of progress during this two-year lacuna. Some of these are explored in this blog by Dave Thomson of FFT. Whilst these offer some food for thought, trusts and schools will need to exercise caution and pragmatism in how they seek to understand performance, reflecting on what they know about stability and change in the context of cohorts and their attainment over time.
Useful links
Ofqual
- Press release
- Ofqual blog
- Summer results: 2025 statistical release
- Infographics
- Ofqual analytics
- National Reference Test - results digest and annual statement
- Ofqual’s student guide to exams and assessments in 2025
- Understanding grading: toolkit for schools and colleges
- Latest updates
- Exam Procedure Review Service (EPRS) guide
- National Careers Service - make choices after your exams
