The recent release of the A-level results for 2025 has revealed the troubling and intricate tableau of academic success, or rather failure, in England. So this year, 28.3% of students went into the very top grade, reflecting a marginal gender gap in the performance. Boys, however, claimed fewer of the highest grades with 28.4% going to boys, compared to girls who took 28.2% of top grades. This alarming trend further underscores the growing inequities within public education. It echoes worries about the worsening regional inequalities we’ve observed over the last several decades.
This year’s increase on the number of boys earning an A* or A grade was even larger, as 28.4% of boys earned one of these high grades. That’s a slight increase from 2022 numbers. In contrast, girls were the only ones to witness a decrease in scores in math, falling from 41.2% to 40.2%. These changes are emblematic of the progress and struggle experienced by their diverse constituents in today’s education ecosystem.
Between 2020 and 2021 the proportion of students attaining A* or A grades increased dramatically. This spike occurred largely due to the fact that teachers graded on a curve during the Covid-19 pandemic. Even as the education system has returned to the old-school exam style, results have stayed flat at their new, lower levels.
Regionally, the concentration of top grades differs greatly around England. The South East is again in first place with 31.2% of students getting A* or A grades, although London is not far behind at all with 32.1%. In sharp comparison, the North East showed very few at only 22.9%. This figure furthers its reputation as one of the most low-performing regions in the country. The North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, West Midlands, East Midlands, and East of England reported figures below the national average.
Keen to the cries of inequitable education, the gap between our top and bottom performing regions have widened once more, evoking fears of a growing educational inequity. In particular, the North East and West Midlands are at high risk. Both areas have seen falls in the share of students getting top marks compared to last year.
In relation to university admissions, 2025 was a record breaking year for students getting into their first choice universities. Well done indeed to the 82% of offer-holders who heard good news about their successful applications. High tariff universities admitted an average of 104,420 students. Medium tariff universities admitted 82,610 students, and 68,100 were admitted to lower tariff universities. From 2016 to 2021, the number of successful applicants to higher tariff universities has skyrocketed by over 30,000.
At the same time, T-levels keep attracting students. Only 11,724 of the 16,081 students who began T-level courses in 2023-24 were able to receive results this summer. This further underscores the growing importance of vocational qualifications in addition to more traditional academic tracks.
In response, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the data showed serious and persistent disparities in educational outcomes.
“The entrenched divide in outcomes seen over the last few years and the lack of progress for children from white working-class backgrounds is particularly concerning.” – Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson
Henri Murison, chief executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, said this year’s huge regional swings had been unprecedented.
“The pandemic has had long-lasting consequences and the grades our young people are using to apply for the most competitive university or apprenticeship places remain lower than those in regions such as London.” – Henri Murison
Murison noted the long-standing regional imbalances that have been more visible in recent years.
“There are significant and deep-seated regional disparities.” – Henri Murison
