Over 600,000 pupils receive their GCSE result

More than 600,000 students across the country have received the GCSE results, with 76 per cent of entries getting grades 9-4.

Despite not having taken exams while schools and colleges were closed to stop the spread of coronavirus, all students have now been awarded the centre assessment grade submitted by their school, unless their calculated grade, based on a flawed algorithm, was higher.

Following the criticism of awarding grades, and the fallout from students unable to pursue their next step in college or university, the decision means that pupils this year have higher grades, on average, than in previous years.

The Department for Education has revealed that 76 per cent of entries receive a grade 9-4, compared to 67.1 per cent in 2019, with overall GCSE entries in England rising this year by 1.9 per cent (to 4.8 million) and at age 16 they rose by 2.1 per cent (to 4.3 million). In addition, entries into individual EBacc subjects rose by 2.2 per cent overall and by 2.5 per cent at age 16.

The GCSE pass rate in England has increased to 79 per cent from 70 per cent. At the top grades, there was also an increase, with 27.6 per cent of entries being awarded a 7 or above – equivalent to an A or A* under the old grading system.

The core subjects of English and maths saw steep grade rises in England. In English, 80.2 per cent of candidates got a grade 4 - or pass grade - compared with 70.5 per cent last year. In maths, 77.2 per cent passed and 24.3 per cent got grade 7 or higher, compared with 20.4 per cent last year.

Students receiving their results today will for the first time have the opportunity to study the new pioneering T Levels, starting in September 2020.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Young people getting their results today can feel incredibly proud of all they’ve achieved in the face of immense challenge and uncertainty. This is an exciting day and young people now can look forward to taking their next steps, whether that is returning to schools and colleges in September to do A levels or our brand new T Levels, or taking one of the many other routes available like starting an apprenticeship. I also want to pay a special tribute to teachers and school leaders this year who have shown dedication, resilience and ingenuity to support their students to get to this moment.”