GCSE Results Analysis 2024

Published 22nd August 2024

Today, students across the UK receive their hard-earned GCSE results. Before we look at the results achieved within our subject, I would like to congratulate the students who are now in possession of their grades; if they are as expected, that’s just brilliant and well done for making it happen. Take a moment in the next few days to acknowledge what you did well that has made these results possible; also, no matter how good things turn out, there is always something you could have done to make things even better.

If the grades achieved are not as expected, please stop and draw breath, find out why; perhaps you did not apply yourself fully to an aspect of the exam requirements? Maybe your exam preparation could have been better. Whatever the reason, stop, be honest with yourself, analyse and learn. This is a moment in time, and these results do not define you. There is help available, and the important thing now is to find a way to continue your learning journey in a manner that excites and motivates you.

Before we look at the results, I also want to congratulate the teachers nationally who have made these results possible. The climate in education over the last ‘few’ years has been tough, and our subject has suffered more than most. There is clear evidence within these results that teachers nationally have now really got to grips with the NEA, and this is being delivered very successfully across the board; before the cycle begins again at the start of the new term, I hope you can all find time to celebrate the successes in your school and your department.

And so, to the results themselves.

For the second year running, design and technology entries have increased, if only by approximately 2% this year (an increase of 1,767 on 2023). Some may point to a rise in demographics for this rise, but I prefer to see it as, following over a decade of year-on-year decline, we have finally turned a corner, and I do not expect numbers to decline next year.

As previously mentioned, there is evidence within these results that student performance on the NEA continues to improve year-on-year. When introduced some years ago, this element of the assessment framework challenged all schools, but there is now clear evidence that teachers not only better understand what is required but are assisting their students to perform better in this section of work.

More girls entered the subject this year (again, the second year this has increased). The increase is admittedly small (972 more than in 2023), but as a subject striving hard for equality, this is so important.

There were significant increases in student performance across all grades from 9 to 4. Grade 9 increased by 0.4% from 2023, Grade 8 showed a 0.9% increase, Grade 7 1.4%, Grade 6 0.6% and Grade 5 saw a 0.8% increase.

 Finally, with these results being the first since 2019 not directly to suffer from intervention due to Covid-19, it is important to note that all grade percentages have increased, demonstrating a steady stream of improvement within the subject. Overall entry numbers are down just over 11,000 since 2019 so we know we still have work to do here.

Overall, these results are very pleasing for the design and technology community. Congratulations again to every student receiving their grades today, and I wish you all nothing but the very best as you continue your learning journey.

 Tony Ryan

Chief Executive Officer

Design & Technology Association