Celebrating GCSE, VTQ and IGCSE results day 2024

Today, millions of students around the world are experiencing the rite of passage that is receiving the results from their end-of-secondary school exams and assessments.

Ruth Holmes

22 August 2024

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Students’ final grades in GCSE and IGCSEs, level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications, mark the end of two years’ hard work and determination. They are a moment to celebrate, reflect on the successes along the way and look forward to the future.This cohort – the biggest-ever assessment series for combined exams body, the JCQ, and Cambridge – was among the most disrupted by Covid-19 arrangements during their secondary school careers.It makes these achievements, and those of their teachers and schools who supported them, all the more poignant.

Congratulations to 'the resilient generation'

Acknowledging the impact, the achievements and the range of qualifications awarded this summer, Jill Duffy, chair of JCQ board of directors and chief executive of OCR, said: “What I love about this time of year is seeing the huge variety of qualifications that our young people are mastering, whether GCSE or Vocational and Technical Qualifications."Today’s results give them the basis for their next steps in education or training and I am sure this resilient generation will go on to even greater successes in the future.“This year’s students have a lot to be proud about and I’d like to congratulate them all for what they have achieved. We’re seeing a record number of results issued today, and every one of them represents a student’s hard work, as well as that of their teachers, parents, and support staff.”Rod Smith, group managing director for international education at Cambridge, which offers the IGCSE qualifications available in international schools around the world, also celebrated all students' achievements."I want to congratulate everyone receiving exam results today and all the dedicated teachers who work so hard to support students in their education journey. In the face of today’s global challenges, it’s heartening to see more and more young people choosing an international education to help them thrive in an ever-changing world."

GCSE pass rates 2024

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, GCSE results this year signal a return to pre-pandemic grading schemes and examinations, with the exception of maths, physics and combined science, where 2024 is the last year candidates were provided with formulae sheets.In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the highest grades (those at 4 and above) account for 67.6% of results this year. This marks a fall for the third year running (after teacher-assessed grades in 2020–21), moving the trend closer to pre-pandemic levels and 2019's results.In England, outcomes at grade 7 and above are up very slightly at 21.7% in 2024. This compares with 21.6% in 2023. Outcomes at grade 4 and above are 67.4%, slightly down on 2023's 67.8%. In Wales, 19.2% of candidates were awarded the top grades 9–7. At grades 4 and above, 62.2% achieved these pass grades. Compared to 2019, grades 9–7 were up by 0.8 percentage points; grades 9–4 down by 0.6 percentage points; and grades 9–1 down by 0.6 percentage points.In Northern Ireland, 82.7% of students received grade 4 and above and 31% received grade 7 and above. Top grades are slightly above 2019's figure of 82.2%.

Vocational qualification pass rates

GCSEs are joined by a range of other options for students aged 14–16, with today also marking the release of 372,900 level 1 and 2 vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) across nine sector subject areas.Enabling students to progress to further education and prepare for employment, these qualifications include 360,000 certificates for the new Tech Awards, awarded for the first time this year.Covering subjects such as construction, and health and social care, these qualifications are typically taken alongside GCSEs and support progression to post-16 education.Leisure, travel and tourism is the most popular sector subject area and over 13,000 (3.5%) of awards were at the top grade, according to the JCQ.

Student wellbeing and inclusion in the spotlight

Alongside their congratulations, commentators highlighted a widening disadvantage gap and regional differences – prompting a minister-led inquiry in Scotland – in attainment and top grades this year, as well as a survey noting the number of students missing exams because of anxiety or stress.Over one in four teachers said they had been involved in a student withdrawing from an exam for this reason in a survey conducted by the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL).Talking to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme before the results were published today, Becky Arnold, head of Framingham Earl High School, near Norwich, expected this morning’s data to show a growing disadvantage gap. "Unfortunately there is that growing disadvantage gap that we predicted would be likely," she says, highlighting persistent absence and the complexity of need in some cases, adding services to support those pupils are "really under pressure".Congratulating teachers and students, Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said the results are a "huge achievement" and "that so many young people will now progress with confidence onto courses in colleges and sixth forms."Responding to the attainment gaps and the ASCL's survey, he called for government to "grasp the nettle" in the autumn budget. "Funding and teacher shortages, combined with post-pandemic issues around mental health, behaviour and attendance, have made circumstances particularly challenging. An improvement to school and college funding in general, and the special educational needs system in particular, is absolutely key to improving matters.”

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