Kath Thomas News Today

GCSE grades awarded to students are down on last year - but remain higher than pre-COVID levels, with grading lenient to reflect pandemic recovery.

Schools North East said this year’s results can be seen as a ‘map’ of the impact of the pandemic on students and schools.

As hundreds of thousands of UK pupils get results, the plunge in top grades will affect an estimated 75,000 - with about 50,000 fewer getting at least a basic pass in six GCSEs.

Every region across the country saw a fall in the proportion of pupils getting a 7/A or above in their GCSEs.

Grades of 7 and above down three percentage points, in line with government plans to tackle grade inflation

A-level grades received by students in the UK are down on the past two years, but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

A-level grades received by UK students are lower this year than in 2021 and 2020 but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels - the last time students physically sat exams.

Grades for A-level students had been expected to drop back from 2021 levels - when pupils were assessed by their teachers - as part of a transition year.

University admissions have also fallen on last year, but are the second highest on record, according to Ucas figures.

Some 20,360 pupils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland found out today that they were unplaced and therefore eligible for Clearing, based on exam results.