GCSEs results day in York, North and East Yorkshire

Nationally the proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades has fallen from last year but is higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic, national figures show.

Closer to home the per centage of passes at grade four and over for North Yorkshire was 69.7 per cent, above the England average of 68.3 per cent and topping the 63.6 per cent in East Yorkshire.

More than a fifth (21.8 per cent) of UK GCSE entries were awarded the top grades – at least a 7 or an A grade – this year, down 0.2 percentage points on last year when 22 per cent of entries achieved the top grades.

This is higher than the equivalent figure for 2019 – before the pandemic disrupted schooling – of 20.8 per cent.

It comes after Covid-19 led to an increase in top GCSE and A-level grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams.

At York High School in Acomb head teacher, Rod Sims, who is stepping down after 15 years at the school said this group of students have shown great resilience in bouncing back from the disruption of Covid and school closure earlier in their school lives.

He said: “This year's group has got better and better as they have progressed through the school.  We have some fantastic students and staff at York High School. It is always brilliant to see the rewards that hard work and good attendance brings.

"Special congratulations should go to Faiq Mushtaq, Jaeda Nicholls, Kane Robinson, Molly Yayes and Yun Hao Weng for exceptional achievement.

"Students are given a GCSE forecast nationally based on their Sat results at the end of primary school. The following students deserve special congratulations for achieving two grades higher than they were predicted, Saphira Briggs, Macy Kelly, Olivia Sefton and Grace Whiteley."

At Outwood Easingwold in North Yorkshire overall, 71 per cent of students achieved a grade 4 or above in English and mathematics with 60 per cent of students gaining a Grade 5 or higher in these core subjects which will equip them for their next steps either in education or employment. 

Head, Emma Taylor, said: “Our students have worked exceptionally hard over the past five years and should be an inspiration to us all.”

At Fulford School head teacher, Russell Harris said: "More than 70 per cent of our students achieved a strong pass in both maths and English, with an attainment 8 score of 5.9. These outstanding results highlight their remarkable achievements and the many future opportunities now within their reach.

"The results are a true reflection of our students' hard work and the unwavering commitment of our staff. Our students have shown incredible resilience and determination, and their achievements are truly inspiring."

Millthorpe GCSE results 2024 (Image: Supplied)

Across the city at Millthorpe, acting principal Kavina Rothenburg, said: “We are all incredibly proud of our students at Millthorpe - they have achieved excellent results. We have been impressed by their dedication and relentless determination to succeed; they have remained positive, good humoured and supportive of each other throughout their GCSE years.”