The 2024 GCSE results are out, and this year's data reveals a number of trends and changes worth noting. These data not only reflect the efforts and achievements of students in the past year, but also reveal the educational gaps and trends between regions. Here are some key highlights for parents and students to refer to:
Achievement gap narrows for the first time
For the first time in nearly a decade, the gap in GCSE grades between London and the North East of England has narrowed, from 10.8 percentage points in 2023 to 10.7 percentage points in 2024. Although this is still a gap between the highest and lowest, the change marks a easing of regional differences in educational achievement. In London, 28.5% of candidates received a grade 7/A or above this year, compared with 17.8% in the North East of England.
Performance trends by region
Six of England's nine regions saw an increase in GCSE grades 7/A or above this year, with only the East Midlands and East England seeing a fall. Almost all regions saw an increase in the proportion of candidates achieving the top grades compared to 2019, before the pandemic. Northern Ireland continues to have the highest GCSE results, with 31.0% of candidates achieving A/7 or above, but this is down from 2023. The proportion in Wales fell from 21.7% in 2023 to 19.2%.
SHAPE Subjects
Popularity of SHAPE subjects
According to the British Academy, entries for SHAPE subjects (social sciences, humanities and arts) have increased in 2024, accounting for more than half ( 54% ) of all GCSE subjects. Subjects such as business studies and music in particular are showing strong growth trends. Business studies has increased by about 9.7% from 2023 to 2024, and music has increased by 8.7%. Other subjects such as modern languages and economics have also shown healthy growth.
English Re-examination
Changes in English re-examination pass rate
It is worth noting that the English GCSE retake pass rate for students aged 17 and above in 2024 has dropped significantly to only 20.9% , far lower than 25.9% in 2023 and 30.3% before the epidemic. In contrast, the first-time pass rate for English GCSEs for 16-year-olds remained stable at 71.2% .
Challenges and calls for the education system
The Liberal Democrats called for a special grade appeal process for students affected by the RAAC collapse. The Association of School and College Leaders suggested abolishing the compulsory resit requirement to reduce pressure on students . The National Education Union pointed out that the current exam system needs to be reformed to better meet the needs of students and reduce stress and anxiety.
Preparing for future exams
The changes and trends in GCSE results remind us that advance preparation is essential for students' success. In the courses we offer, we focus on helping students improve comprehensively from GCSE to A-Level. Our courses cover the core subjects of GCSE and provide customized tutoring for A-Level to ensure that every student can achieve the best results academically. The customized courses we provide are designed to help students understand their strengths and areas for improvement so that they can better cope with future academic challenges .
Courses and Services
If your child is preparing for GCSE or plans to continue studying A-Level , our professional courses will be an ideal choice for you. Our courses not only provide systematic learning support, but also can be adjusted according to the individual needs of students. Please contact us to learn more about the customized courses for GCSE and A-Level to help your child stand out in future studies.
The changes and trends in GCSE results show the dynamic changes in the education field. We are committed to providing the best educational support to help students succeed in their exams. Advance planning and preparation will lay a solid foundation for students' future.
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