GCSE Results drop nationally as students return to examinations for the first time since 2019.

Published 25th August 2022

This year’s GCSE results were released this morning, and as expected, the number of students achieving the highest grades reduced across the board as the government and the exam regulator Ofqual seek to return grading to post-pandemic levels.

It is important to note that the fact that grades have fallen this year bears no reflection on student performance but results from a “correction” by exam authorities. This year’s results include both qualitative and quantitative data for the first time since the pandemic. While the number of top grades has decreased, they generally remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

Sadly, design and technology entries dropped by 5.36%, from 91,185 in 2021 to 86,297 this year. This is a concern for the subject as this comes on top of a year-on-year reduction in entries.

The percentage of students achieving an A grade in our subject has reduced this year by 3.4%, and the percentage achieving a grade 4 (C grade) also dropped from 77.2% in 2021 to 72% this year, a significant decrease.

Regardless of outcomes, we congratulate all students receiving their grades this morning. Students have demonstrated exceptional levels of determination and resilience to achieve these grades in the most testing of circumstances. They should be proud of what has been achieved and see these results for what they are, a stepping stone on their personal developmental journey, and hopefully one that helps them reach the next stage. 

We are always aware that for every student delighted with the grades returned today, there will be one that is disappointed with the result obtained. It is important that these students take advice from teachers and other informed adults; whatever your results, there are always options for progression available to you; these results do not define you as a person or learner.

Tony Ryan, CEO of the Association, stated, “Students and their teachers should be justifiably proud of the results posted today. These results have been achieved through the most demanding of circumstances and have required levels of ingenuity and tenacity that had to be seen to be believed. I hope all teachers and their students are proud of the professionalism and desire to succeed that has allowed them to achieve these results”.