Students open GCSE results across the south

Students have been celebrating after receiving their GCSE results across the south

It has been five years since these GCSE students first entered secondary school – in the middle of a global pandemic.

Now, Year 11 pupils have collected their results from schools across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dorset, Oxfordshire and Berkshire.

Students have received their grades, now scored using a numerical system from 9 to 1, and are ready to move onto the next step of their education.

It comes after the announcement GCSE pass rates have fallen again across the country, as figures show 67.4% of all grades in England, Wales and Northern Ireland were at 4/C or above in 2025, compared to 67.6% the year before.

The highest grade is 9, while 1 is the lowest, and U means "ungraded". Pupils need a 4 for a "standard pass" and 5 for a "strong pass".

Students will also be receiving their BTec Tech Awards and other Level 2 results.

Grades were expected to be similar to 2024, due to the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic.

However, that has not stopped students across the south of England exceeding their goals.

Staff at Arnewood School in New Milton, Hampshire, said this year's results reflected "ambition, determination and teamwork".

Head teacher Jamie Anderson said: "I am extremely proud of the students and staff who have worked so hard to achieve so much."

Elsewhere, in Winchester, it was not just 16 year olds passing their GCSEs.

Élise, 13, achieved a grade 8/A in GCSE French, after taking her exam three years early at The Henry Beaufort School.

The teenager started learning the language by singing French songs when she was four.

She said: "All the other people doing GCSE French early have French parents.

"My mum isn't French, but has always been good at languages so she really helped me study.

"We had a lot of fun practising enthusiastic responses for the speaking exam. Gaining exam experience this early is going to help me when I take my other GCSEs."

For Hampshire students unsure about their next move, Hampshire County Council has launched a support page.

The authority is offering guidance through its Hampshire Futures Exam Results Helpline.

Rachel Kitley, principal of Cowes Enterprise College on the Isle of Wight, said she was "delighted" by the results this year, and that their Year 11 students had been "exceptional".

She added: "Their achievements today reflect their determination to achieve, as well as the fantastic support provided by their families and our dedicated teaching and support staff."

Élise, 13, has already passed her French GCSE with flying colours after taking the exam three years early

Meanwhile, Oxford Spires Academy has bucked the national trend and seen its pass rate rise to 71% this year.

Head teacher Louise Cowley said the Covid pandemic meant this year's graduates had navigated some additional challenges on top of starting a new secondary school.

She said: "Covid started for them when they were in Year 6, they started secondary school in bubbles and then had to unwind from that.

"I'm so proud of our students, they've done absolutely fantastically. We've raised the pass rate even higher and we're just amazed by the work ethic and the energy they've put behind their results."

Ashwini passed all her exams, grading 6 or above.

She said: "I'm quite surprised, I'm glad. The five years if you think about it, it was a lot - we were the first year from lockdown. I feel like our year was really affected by that, but overall we did really well."

So what are the stats like for the south?

According to Ofqual, 5,661,970 GCSE results were issued in 133 different qualifications.

Fewer students sat GCSE biology, chemistry and physics - but there was an increase in entries for combined science.

In Berkshire, 7.9% of all results were awarded a grade 9, the highest possible, making it the most successful county in the country alongside Surrey.

Dorset had the highest percentage of passes, those who attained a grade 4 and above, in the south west of England at 71.7%.

Two-thirds of GCSE grades in Hampshire were grade 4 or above, slightly below the national average of 67.1%.

While 29.2% of results awarded to students aged 16 in Oxfordshire were at grade 7 or above – the equivalent to an A under the previous marking scheme.

Upton Court Grammar School in Slough, Berkshire, confirmed it had some of the best results in its history.

Figures from the school showed it had 82% of grades between 7 and 9, with the majority of students expected to enrol in the school's sixth form.

Head teacher Oliver King said: "These results, which continue to rise year-on-year, are a testament to the remarkable commitment, resilience and determination shown by our students.

"I am extremely grateful to our dedicated staff, whose expertise and care have guided our students every step of the way."

'Sense of belonging'

Elsewhere at Desborough College in Maidenhead, head teacher Andy Murdoch, echoed the thoughts of other heads reflecting on the pandemic.

He said: "One of the things that was important for this cohort was to make sure that they felt a sense of belonging when they came to school.

"As a result of that, as they've made their way through their secondary education, I think we've been able to support them to grow and progress and I think today is just a great example of that journey that they've had over the last five years and how well they've done."

More than 4,000 Year 11 pupils across the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) area have received their results.

Cathi Hadley, corporate director for children's services at BCP Council, said: "Every one of our pupils across BCP has done so well to reach this point and we wish them every success as they take their next steps."

For students who are not sure what those next steps look like, the council has released support links.