England GCSE Results Show Slight Pass Rate Rise Amid Covid Impact

The 2025 GCSE results for students in England show a slight rise in the proportion of strong passes (grade 5 and above), increasing marginally from 54.6% to 55%, with top grades (7 to 9) also rising by nearly 2% compared to pre-pandemic levels. Despite these gains, pass rates in key subjects like English and maths saw a small decline, leading to more students needing to retake these exams. This year’s GCSE cohort experienced significant disruption from the Covid-19 pandemic during their transition to secondary school, with many teachers identifying Year 11 students as the most impacted group, facing learning gaps, absenteeism, and mental health challenges. More than one in five entries are expected to achieve top grades, consistent with recent years but still above pre-pandemic figures. The grading standards have largely returned to pre-Covid levels across the UK, although increased competition for post-16 places is anticipated due to a rising population. To aid students’ progression, a government pilot app called the Education Record is being introduced to consolidate exam results and certificates for easier access to further education and employment opportunities.