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Monitoring & outcomes

Results day 2026: GCSE, BTecs and other Level 2 results

News
20/08/2026

Today, thousands of pupils across England receive their GCSE, BTecs and other Level 2results, marking an important milestone in their education. Whether collected in person or, for the first time, accessed through a new app, these results represent years of hard work and dedication.

On behalf of NGA and governors and trustees across the country, we would like to thank every pupil for their commitment and perseverance, and recognise the teachers, school leaders, support staff and families who have supported them along the way.

Ofqual’s analysis of this year’s GCSE results shows a slight improvement in overall attainment. The proportion of pupils achieving a grade 5 or above increased from 55% last year to 55.5%, while the proportion of grades awarded at 7 to 9 rose marginally from 23% in 2025 to 23.1%.

However, the data also highlights continued inequalities in attainment. Girls continue to outperform boys, although the gap narrowed very slightly year on year. Regional differences have also widened, with the gap between the highest and lowest performing regions increasing to 10.9 percentage points, compared with 10.6 percentage points last year.

Emma Balchin, NGA Chief Executive, said:

“NGA would like to congratulate every young person receiving their GCSE results today. These results reflect the hard work and determination of pupils, alongside the commitment of teachers, school leaders, support staff and families who have supported them throughout their education.

While academic achievement is an important part of a young person’s education, their wellbeing and overall experience of school life are equally important.

Today, NGA recognises and celebrates the vital role governors and trustees play in ensuring every pupil has the opportunity to thrive, while using their understanding of their school or trust and its community to challenge and support leaders in addressing inequalities and helping every young person achieve their potential.”

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