GCSE results day 2024: Thousands to resit Maths and English

A great-grandfather who left school at 14 said he felt emotional to have achieved a GCSE in English at the age of 73.

Former roofer Danny Davey, of Ipswich in Suffolk, sat his exam at Suffolk New College in the town and got a grade six.

Earlier this year the pensioner won a writing competition organised by the further education institution. I never wrote until I started here in September last year, said Mr Davey. Its 59 years since I went to school. Growing up, I went to about 15 different schools, left school at 14, got a holiday job and never went back (to school).

Ive always wanted to learn and improve myself. You should never stop learning personal development is everyones responsibility. The father-of-four, who also has 10 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, continued: I came to Suffolk New College to learn the rules of writing. On seeing my GCSE result, I generally felt emotional. Im amazed.

He said his message to other people considering returning to education in retirement is that everyone needs a purpose and there is nothing better than going back to learning. He added: If I could give my 14-year-old self some advice it would be go back to school. Mr Davey previously sat GCSE maths at the college, achieving a C-grade in 2016.

Data which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland shows that nearly one in four (24.7%) of girls GCSE entries were awarded at least a grade7/A compared to almost a fifth of boys entries (19.0%) a 5.7 percentage point gap.

But figures published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) show that boys are narrowing the gap with their female classmates in terms of top grades.

The latest results are the narrowest lead enjoyed by girls since 2009, when it was also 5.7 points. Last year, girls led boys by 5.8 percentage points (24.9% girls, 19.1% boys).

Professor Barnaby Lenon, dean of the faculty of education at the University of Buckingham said: Boys do significantly worse than girls in most subjects. This is because boys are less hard working, less motivated by wanting to please their teachers, and much less mature than girls of the same age.

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Results of boys and girls compared(Image: Press Association Images)

It's GCSE results day and millions of students across the country are finding out how they did in their exams.Students across the country have been working hard over the last two years on their studies and after an intense exam season this May and June, many will feel nervous about today. However, it's important to remember that everyone receiving results today should be proud of the work they have done - no matter the result.So after what will likely be a stressful morning for many, what's a better way to celebrate the hard work than treating yourself to a meal and getting a great deal at the same time? From Nando's to Bill's and Frankie and Benny's, students will be spoilt for choice on where to go - here are some of the deals that are on offer this GCSE results day today.Read more: GCSE results 2024: Freebies and discounts students can claim from Bella Italia to Nando's

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Bella Italia is offering freebies to people who have just found out their GCSE results

Hundreds of thousands of young people celebrate today as they receive their GCSE and VTQ results today.

Over a million students are celebrating receiving GCSE and vocational qualification results today (Thursday 22 August), as young people across the country prepare to move on to the next stage of their education. The proportion of entries achieving top grades (grade 7 and above), and standard passes (grade 4) are consistent with last year as, for the second year in a row, grading has returned to pre-pandemic levels.

Regional gaps in attainment remain significant. London and the North East continue to be the highest and lowest performing regions respectively, with the difference in grades 7 or above between up to 10.7ppt , compared to 9.3ppt in 2019.

James Wilkinson, 16, from Arundel, West Sussex, achieved nine grade 9s and one grade 8 and will go on to study physics, chemistry, maths and further maths.

He said: I am overall quite pleased but slightly disappointed with my English result, but I have to move forward.

I put a lot of work into the exams, substantially more than the mocks as I felt I could level up my game.

The gap in GCSE results between private and state schools has widened at the highest grades.

Almost half of entries from private schools scored at least a grade 7 this year, compared to around a fifth of those from both comprehensive schools and academies.

The figures, published by Englands exams regulator Ofqual, have sparked fresh concerns among social mobility experts about inequalities in the education system and widening attainment gaps between rich and poor youngsters.

The data, which covers England only, shows that 48.4% of private school entries scored at least a 7 compared to 19.4% of those from comprehensive schools a gap of 29 percentage points.

Last year, this gap was 28.2 points an increase of 0.8 percentage points.

The gap at A/7 grades between private and academies state schools which are free from local authority control now stands at 27.2 percentage points compared to 26.5 points in 2023, an increase of 0.7 percentage points.

The figures do show that the gap between private and state schools has narrowed compared to 2019, before the pandemic.

That year, the gap between private and comprehensive schools was 29.3 percentage points, while for private schools and academies it was 27.5 points.

GCSE results day is gruelling for teenagers, but if you opened your letter this morning and didn't get what you were expecting, it's important not to panic.The grade inflations of Covid are officially over, as today's results mostly returned to pre-pandemic levels. This means students may have achieved lower grades than their siblings who took their exams in the last few years. But it doesn't have to spell disaster. Emotions are at an all-time high for students but there are steps you can take right now if you didn't get the grades you wanted.Your grades will have been determined by the number of marks achieved on the exam papers, and for students hoping to go on to do their A Levels or T Levels, most of these courses will require at least 5 GCSEs in grades 9 to 4, including English and maths.

Read more: Six steps to take right now if you didn't get the GCSE results you expected

Here are the percentage of GCSE entries awarded the top grades (7/A or above) by nation and region, with the equivalent figures for 2023 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019:

• North-east England 17.8% (2023: 17.6%; 2019: 16.4%)
• North-west England 18.6% (2023: 18.6%; 2019: 18.6%)
• Yorkshire & the Humber 18.3% (2023: 18.2%; 2019: 17.8%)
• West Midlands 18.5% (2023: 18.4%; 2019: 18.1%)
• East Midlands 18.3% (2023: 18.5%; 2019: 18.3%)
• Eastern England 21.4% (2023: 21.9%; 2019: 20.5%)
• South-west England 21.2% (2023: 20.8%; 2019: 20.4%)
• South-east England 24.7% (2023: 24.4%; 2019: 23.5%)
• London 28.5% (2023: 28.4%; 2019: 25.7%)
• England 21.7% (2023: 21.6%; 2019: 20.7%)
• Wales 19.2% (2023: 21.7%; 2019: 18.4%)
• Northern Ireland 31.0% (2023: 34.5%; 2019: 30.5%)

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Chart showing GCSE results(Image: Press Association Images)

A pupil at Huddersfield's Shelly College who passed all her subjects has dreams of being a dancer.

Coral Weldon said: I passed everything and did well on most subjects. Im staying on at sixth form here to do art, food science and history. I chose to stay here because its local and I really like it - its really good.

She described the college as a chilled out and supportive environment. She added: After here, Im going to go to another college when I turn 18 and do dance there.

Bradford Grammar School (BGS) students are celebrating after more than half achieved Grades 8 or 9. Almost two thirds achieved Grade 7s (equivalent to the old A grade) and above and a third securing Grade 8s and above

Dr Simon Hinchliffe, Headmaster at Bradford Grammar School, said: This year group had their introduction to secondary school life interrupted by the COVID pandemic and, like many of their older peers, have shown remarkable resilience and Hog Age (Get on and Do) spirit. Were celebrating all of their achievements today, their sporting successes, their artistic triumphs, as well as their academic excellence. Were very proud of them all.

Manchester High School for Girls pupil Priya is celebrating after achieving all 9s except for one 8 in her GCSE results.

Her plan is to now study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Spanish with the aim of doing Medicine at university.

She told the Manchester Evening News: Im very happy and did not expect these results. The teachers have been so supportive, theyve helped me so much.

Priyas parents were thrilled with her results. Her mum said: We are absolutely thrilled. She worked so hard and we couldnt be prouder. And her dad added: Were so proud of her, her approach has been so mature, with no hassle, she did it all herself and owes these grades to no one but herself.

We are so happy with MHSG and so pleased shes continuing into the Sixth Form. The teachers have been fantastic and so supportive, whatever she needed, they delivered.

Here are the main figures for this years GCSE results:

The proportion of entries receiving the highest grades has fallen from last year but remains higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic.

A total of 21.8% of entries were awarded grade 7/A or above, down slightly from 22.0% in 2023 but above the 20.8% in 2019.

Some 67.6% of entries received a grade 4/C or above.

This is down from 68.2% last year but higher than 67.3% in 2019.

The overall rate for grades 1/G or above is 97.9%, down from 98.0% in 2023 and also below 98.3% in 2019.

This is the lowest 1/G figure for nearly two decades, since 97.8% in 2005.

The lead enjoyed by girls over boys for the top grades has narrowed slightly.

The proportion of total female entries awarded grade 7/A or above was 24.7%, 5.7 percentage points higher than total male entries (19.0%).

This is the narrowest lead enjoyed by girls since 2009, when it was also 5.7 points.

Last year, girls led boys by 5.8 percentage points (24.9% girls, 19.1% boys).

The gap at grade 4/C is unchanged from last year.

Some 71.0% of total female entries were awarded 4/C or higher, compared with 64.2% for boys, a lead of 6.8 points.

Last year the figures were 71.7% for girls entries and 64.9% for boys entries, also 6.8 points.

This is the narrowest lead for girls at 4/C since at least 2000.

The most popular subject in terms of entries this year was the science double award, with a total of 980,786 entries, up 4.8% on 2023.

Maths remains the second most popular subject, with 878,165 entries, up 6.9% on 2023.

English language was the third most popular subject, with 845,834 entries, a rise of 7.2%.

Among subjects with more than 100,000 entries, business studies saw the largest percentage increase in entries this year, up 9.7% from 123,166 in 2023 to 135,090 in 2024.

Among subject with under 100,000 entries, statistics saw the biggest percentage increase, up 19.9% from 26,559 in 2023 to 31,844.

Across the regions of England, London saw the highest proportion of entries awarded grades 7/A or above (28.5%, up 0.1 percentage points from 28.4% in 2023), while north-east England had the lowest (17.8%, up 0.2 points from 17.6% in 2023).

Overall, there were a total of 6,186,879 GCSE entries, up by 4.8% on last years figure of 5,905,000.

Some 1,270 16-year-olds in England taking at least seven GCSEs achieved a grade 9 in all their subjects. This is up from 1,160 in 2023 and from 837 in 2019.

Pupils whose schooling was affected by the reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (Raac) crisis should have access to a special grades appeals process, the Liberal Democrats education spokesperson has said.

Some 234 education settings in England were identified as having the collapse-risk concrete in their buildings, according to Department for Education figures, with 94 identified as being secondary of all-through state schools and some switching to temporary classrooms or online learning when authorities shut buildings for periods of the last academic year.

Munira Wilson said: Congratulations to all those who are getting their results today. Every pupil who sat exams this year should be very proud of what they have achieved.

However, as we saw last week with A-level results, there will be thousands of students across the country whose education has been disrupted by crumbling RAAC in their schools, leaving their schooling in turmoil.

The estimated 19,700 children taking GCSEs who have been affected by Raac should be able to access a special appeals process which would allow schools to appeal for higher grades.

There has been a growing gap between the attainment of disadvantaged pupils and their more affluent peers and this is something that must be tackled. It is vital that all children, regardless of their background are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Pupils are being reminded by the National Union of Students that your grades "do not define you" and not to panic if you don't have the results you wanted.

Qasim Hussain, Vice President Further Education, said: "Congratulations on getting your GCSE results! No matter your grades, you should be so proud of yourself for all the hard work you put in.

"Your grades do not define you. If you havent got the grades you expected, dont panic. It may feel like the end of the world, but there are lots of ways to achieve your goals, be that sixth form, college or an apprenticeship. If you dont know what you want to do, make sure to talk to your teachers, or guidance or careers counsellors to help identify what is the right path for you.

"I am excited to see you as part of the student movement! If youre going to a sixth form or college, get involved in your students union. If youre going into an apprenticeship, get involved with the National Society of Apprentices."

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Pupils are getting their results today(Image: PA)

Do you think you have what it takes to score top marks in a maths paper?

As nervious students open their GCSE results today, many adults may remember the feeling. Perhaps there were some subjects you excelled at, and others you simply hated.

But do you think you now have what it takes to be able to work out some of the questions students would have recently answered in their exams? Many parents reckon they could easily answer exam questions so we've got a real maths question from an exam paper to see if you'd be happy opening up your results today - and no cheating!

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Question

This is a pretty tough one to start with if, like many people, you've not used maths since your own GCSE days. The pressure is off a bit this time around however, as you're not being timed, and you don't need to worry anymore about being accepted on your chosen college course. If you don't manage it on your first attempt, have another look back and try again. Once you're ready to move on, have a peek at the answer below, which reveals Lily's age in months as a fraction of Hugo's age in months.

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The wait is over as thousands of teenagers across the country will be receiving their GCSE results today - and among them is a member of the Royal Family.

James, the Earl of Wessex, who is the youngest son of the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Prince Edward and Sophie, is set for major news today as he too will be getting his GCSE grades. Like his sister Lady Louise Windsor, the 16-year-old keeps a low profile as he continues his education.

When Louise took her GCSEs four years ago, her grades were not made public - so it's likely whatever grades James, who is 15th in line to the throne, receives will stay private. However, it appears he took his exams very seriously as back in June, he missed Trooping the Colour with his royal relatives as it was school exam season.

Earlier this year, BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond previously reflected on James' current position and what the future may have in store. She told OK! in March: "James is currently gearing up for the first big test of his school life.his GCSEs. Like most 16-year-olds, it's a tough time for him - although it's unlikely that his results will be made public. That's in tune with the rest of his upbringing where his parents have tried very hard to allow James as normal an upbringing as possible - given his heritage. And, by and large, they have succeeded.

"We know that James is an affable, popular young man who enjoys the outdoor life (especially at Balmoral). Fly fishing with his mum is a favoured activity and he is said to be pretty good at it. He enjoys the barbecues he can flip a burger expertly! And, just like his sister, he has been brought up to mix with all sorts of people, and enjoys sleepovers and parties with friends."

[The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh leave the Easter Sunday service with their son, James]

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh with their son James(Image: PA)

Secretary of State Jo Stevens has sent llongyfarchiadau (congratulations) to pupils receiving their GCSE grades in Wales.

She posted on X, formerly Twitter: The wait is over! Llongyfarchiadau to everyone in Wales receiving their GCSE results this morning. Wishing you all the best as you embark on your next chapter.

Wales First Minister Baroness Eluned Morgan earlier wrote in Welsh on the social media website: Pob lwc i bawb ledled Cymru syn derbyn canlyniadau TGAU heddiw. Her message translates as: Good luck to all throughout Wales who are receiving their GCSE results today.

She added: Diolch (thank you) to all the teachers and parents too.

Here is the GCSE pass rates (entries awarded 4 or above) by nation and region:

North-east England 65.2% (2023: 65.3%; 2019: 63.8%)

North-west England 64.2% (2023: 64.8%; 2019: 64.9%)

Yorkshire & the Humber 63.9% (2023: 64.4%; 2019: 64.1%)

West Midlands 63.1% (2023: 63.9%; 2019: 63.8%)

East Midlands 65.1% (2023: 65.8%; 2019: 65.8%)

Eastern England 67.9% (2023: 68.6%: 2019: 67.1%)

South-west England 69.1% (2023: 69.2%; 2019: 68.3%)

South-east England 70.4% (2023: 70.7%; 2019: 70.2%)

London 72.5% (2023: 72.6%; 2019: 70.6%)

England 67.4% (2023: 67.8%; 2019: 67.1%)

Wales 62.2% (2023: 64.9%; 2019: 62.8%)

Northern Ireland 82.7% (2023: 86.8%; 2019: 82.2%)

All 67.6% (2023: 68.2%; 2019: 67.3%)

Here are the percentage of GCSE entries awarded the top grades (7/A or above) by nation and region, with the equivalent figures for 2023 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019:

North-east England 17.8% (2023: 17.6%; 2019: 16.4%)

North-west England 18.6% (2023: 18.6%; 2019: 18.6%)

Yorkshire & the Humber 18.3% (2023: 18.2%; 2019: 17.8%)

West Midlands 18.5% (2023: 18.4%; 2019: 18.1%)

East Midlands 18.3% (2023: 18.5%; 2019: 18.3%)

Eastern England 21.4% (2023: 21.9%; 2019: 20.5%)

South-west England 21.2% (2023: 20.8%; 2019: 20.4%)

South-east England 24.7% (2023: 24.4%; 2019: 23.5%)

London 28.5% (2023: 28.4%; 2019: 25.7%)

England 21.7% (2023: 21.6%; 2019: 20.7%)

Wales 19.2% (2023: 21.7%; 2019: 18.4%)

Northern Ireland 31.0% (2023: 34.5%; 2019: 30.5%)

All 21.8% (2023: 22.0%; 2019: 20.8%)

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Pupils celebrate at Brighton College(Image: PA)

Sir Keir Starmer has told GCSE pupils they have done an incredible job.

The Prime Minister wrote on X, formerly Twitter: Congratulations to those receiving their GCSE results today youve done an incredible job.

I know the power of education and opportunity. My Government will make sure everyones path is determined by their talent, skills and ambition, not where you come from.

The adrenaline that pumps through your veins while picking up your GCSE results is something that sticks with you forever - and for our favourite TV stars it is no different.

There's some seriously brainy reality TV stars in showbiz land, and we've looked back at how some of our favourite Love Islanders did. From school geniuses such as Molly Mae Hague and Chris Hughes, to others who openly admitted their struggles.

Chris Hughes

The wannabe rapper may have been the class clown of 2017, but it turns out Chris Hughes is actually a bit of a brainbox. He's got 14 GCSEs - including three A*s and eight As - and worked for a legal firm before entering the ITV2 show. Chris even boasted about his academic excellence during a Twitter spat back in 2017.

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Molly-Mae Hague(Image: Instagram/@mollymae)

Molly-Mae Hague

The social media influencer scored big with her impressive GCSE results, earning an A in English and an A* in sociology. Rather than go into higher education, Molly ditched college to launch her online career. Things worked out pretty well, as Molly now boasts a staggering 7.9 million Instagram followers and is raking in the money from her own brand, a fake tan line called Filter, as well as multiple brand deals. The entrepreneur recently stepped down as Pretty Little Thing's Creative Director as she said she was "focusing on her own ventures".

Hayley Hughes

Hayley famously claimed to not know what Brexit or earlobes were when she appeared in series four, but according to her friends, she's actually a secret cleverclogs, as she'd scored high enough grades to study Childhood and Youth Studies at Liverpool Hope University before dropping out to be an actress. "She's definitely not that stupid. I can't believe no one else has said anything," a friend told The Sun. "She did really well in her A Levels and GCSEs. She managed to get the grades to do that course, but she dropped out to pursue an acting career."

Tommy Fury

Series five runner-up Tommy dropped out of school when he was in year nine and left without a single qualification to his name. And the poor guy got himself all confused when he asked if he should go 'left or right' to London after leaving the villa - forgetting he was in another country. "Oh, s*** you have to get a plane innit? Jesus Christ, I am so thick. I'm so thick it's untrue," he laughed. Tommy did leave school with a charming personality and went on to discover his boxing ability and has had some recent fights, including beating YouTuber Jake Paul.

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Tommy Fury(Image: ITV/REX)

Even our favourite celebrities once sat in an exam hall and experienced the dreaded GCSE results day.With some celeb stars excelling at school and being the boffins of the class, others dropped out after realising it wasn't for them - so how did they do?We look at a whole host of celebs who have shared their results GCSE in the past, from TV hosts to Olympians, with many proving the results don't always define your career path. Including Richard Branson who dropped out of school, and Jeremy Clarkson who admitted he left school with one C and two U gradesRead more: Surprising celebrity GCSE results - Ant and Dec's identical grades and Scarlett Moffat's maths hell

Education Minister Catherine McKinnell has vowed to ensure opportunities for children receiving their GCSE results are spread far and wide, highlighting a gap in university admissions between London and the North after A-level results last week.

Catherine McKinnell, who is also the MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North, told Sky News: I think for young people there are a whole range of options, and I think thats a really important message to give today as well that, you know, some young people will get the results theyre expecting; some will do better; some may not get what they hoped for.

But actually, there are opportunities available, whether thats in vocational training, whether thats in sixth form, whether thats in a college, whether its an apprenticeship, or whether its going into the workplace, and I just think its really important as a Government that we make sure that those opportunities are available and that we keep building those opportunities as well.

And thats one of the big priorities for this Government, its to make sure that those opportunities are spread far and wide because, as you say, young people need to make their choices but we know that across the country its not always evenly spread how those decisions can be made.

For example we saw last week on university admissions: 42% from London but only 24% of young people going on to university from my region in the North East.

You know, they are choices that young people have made but we want to make sure that they are choices and its not down to a lack of opportunity or anything the Government could do to make sure that they get the best education and the best opportunities available.

Millions of schoolchildren will find out their GCSE results today - and some may need to know how to arrange resits for less than perfect marks.

When can I resit my exams?

Resists in maths and English are held in November and May of each year. Others, such as science, can only be done in the summer time during the usual exam period. They can also be taken during gap years.

What exams can I resit?

Students can usually retake any exams. Those wanting to do their GCSE maths and English have to be under the age of 18 and have not got at least a grade 4. The Governments website reads: Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible to take a functional skills qualification in English or maths instead.

This is equivalent to a GCSE and allows you to apply English or maths in real life. You can check with your school or college if this option is available to you.

Is there a cost for resits?

It can be free to retake exams but usually depends on the previous grades, the subject you want to retake and the type of school or college attended. Youngsters should check with your school or college to see if you need to pay to resit your exam.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson says that students receiving GCSE results today have had to overcome a series of challenges in their secondary schooling following the pandemic.

She said: These pupils have shown remarkable resilience and determination, defying unprecedented disruption throughout the pandemic, Raac and strike action.

From A-levels and T-levels to apprenticeships, they now have an exciting range of options available to them. We know this weeks results are likely to show the same unacceptable, entrenched regional disparities we have seen time and time again.

That is why we are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity including by delivering a broader, richer curriculum and ensuring that young people in all corners of our country can reach their potential.

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Pupils taking exams (file image)(Image: PA)

School standards minister Catherine McKinnell has hailed GCSE results day a day of celebration as she revealed the 2024 marks are expected to be in line with 2023.

Ms McKinnell told GB News: Were expecting the results this year to be in line with last year. And I think we do need to remember that this is a cohort of young people that have overcome incredible challenges in their time in secondary education.

They were the generation of children that have gone through Covid and theyve experienced huge amounts of they should be incredibly proud today of their achievements.

And I think it is incredibly exciting, its also incredibly nerve-racking for these young people, so I know theyre waiting for their results, and its a very exciting day. I think its a day of celebration of these young people and also the teachers, who have worked incredibly hard to get them to this point today.

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Catherine McKinnell hails GCSE results day(Image: Iain Buist/Newcastle Chronicle)

Department for Education (DfE) figures show 234 education settings in England have been identified as having Raac in their buildings. Of these, 94 are listed as secondary or all-through state schools.

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) said special consideration which is given to a candidate who has temporarily experienced illness, injury or some other event outside their control at the time of their assessment would not be granted for disruption to teaching and learning over the year due to Raac.

But this year, exam boards have offered extended coursework deadlines to schools and colleges which have struggled to access specialist facilities for non-examination assessments due to Raac.

Schools and colleges are also able to apply under the established special consideration process where marks can be adjusted to take into account unforeseen circumstances if they feel their results have been affected by Raac disruption during exams such as a noisy environment in the exam hall.