Today is the day teenagers have been biting their nails over all summer, GCSE results day. It’s the first time students will be collecting results that will impact the next step in their educational career, and it’s an anxious time for many.
We’ll be updating this article throughout the day as the results come in, but what do students do if they don’t receive the results they had hoped for?
If students haven’t got the grades they hoped for, the advice is first and foremost not to worry. There is always a plan B.
Talk to your school or college. They can contact the exam board and ask to have your marks reviewed; after that, you can also appeal if you still feel your paper has been unfairly graded.
Whether you’re taking A-levels or going to college, ask if you can resit exams while you study for the higher qualification. This may extend the time studying, but it will get things started.
If you’re also not sure what you want to do as a career, that’s ok too. Speak to family and friends, or a careers advisor. The National Careers Service Exam Results helpline offers judgment-free advice, free of charge, on the phone or via webchat.
National average down
According to the BBC, the GCSE pass rate has fallen again, with 67.4% of all grades in England, Wales and Northern Ireland at 4/C and above.
That is slightly down from 67.6% last year, according to the latest national data released earlier today.
Years of disruption due to the Covid pandemic meant grades were always predicted to be similar to last year.
However, there were sharp rises in top grades in 2020 and 2021 when exams were cancelled and results were based on teachers’ assessments. That was followed by a phased effort to bring them back down to 2019 levels.
This is the second year that grading standards have returned to pre-pandemic levels across all three nations. The percentage of pass grades this year is only slightly higher than it was in 2019, at 67.3%.
Bedford results
While national averages are down, Bedford Borough schools have recorded strong, and even record-breaking results…
Bedford School
Bedford School is celebrating its “best-ever GCSE results”, with 50% of all grades awarded at 9–8 (A*) and 74% at 9–7 (A*–A). The record-breaking performance follows strong A-Level and IB results, rounding off a “standout academic year” for the school.
Head Master James Hodgson said: “These are remarkable results. The boys have combined academic curiosity with a wide range of co-curricular success. I congratulate them and look forward to seeing them thrive in the Sixth Form.”
Among the top performers was Leo, who achieved 11 grade 9s while also representing the 1st XI cricket team.
“It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” he said. “I’m just very happy.” He praised his teachers’ support and will go on to study Maths, Chemistry, Biology and Spanish.
Oscar, currently on tour in South Africa with the school’s rugby and hockey teams, also achieved 11 grade 9s, balancing revision with rowing commitments. “All the hard work paid off,” he said. He’ll now study Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Politics.
Josh, also on tour, secured seven grade 9s and three grade 8s. Passionate about Physics, he will continue with Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Economics.
Harry, who was diagnosed with ADHD at the end of Year 10, achieved two grade 9s, one grade 8 and three grade 7s. “I’m extremely happy and relieved,” he said, crediting the school’s academic and pastoral staff for tailored support.
He plans to study BTEC Sport, Enterprise, A-Level Art, and Business, with the hope of starting his own business.
The school praised all students for their effort, character and ambition, as they prepare to begin the next chapter in Sixth Form.
Bedford Modern School
Bedford Modern School (BMS) is celebrating an impressive set of GCSE results, rounding off what it describes as a “brilliant year” following strong A-Level outcomes earlier in the summer.
Nearly a third (28%) of all exams taken by BMS students were awarded the highest possible Grade 9 (equivalent to an A**), with almost half (49%) achieving either a Grade 9 or 8 (A*). Among the cohort, ten students earned ten or more Grade 9s.
One of those students, Ernest, achieved 12 Grade 9s and an A* in his Higher Project Qualification (HPQ). Speaking after receiving his results, he said: “The teachers at BMS have been really, really supportive and the resources that we have here are just amazing.
“I feel the school has really helped me achieve these results.” He added that he’s looking forward to joining the Sixth Form to continue exploring his interests.
Chelsea, who achieved 11 Grade 9s and an A in her HPQ, said she was grateful for the clarity and calmness her teachers brought to the classroom.
“They were able to present all the information in really clear ways and keep all of us calm and confident in the lead-up to exams,” she said.
Headmaster David Payne praised both students and staff for their achievements. “We are beyond proud of our exceptional Year 11 students and the dedication of our entire staff who have made these results possible,” he said.
“The confidence, integrity and ambition that our Year 11 cohort has shown in achieving these results is palpable. My huge congratulations to them all.”
Bedford Greenacre Independent School
Bedford Greenacre Independent School (BGI) has celebrated another “successful” GCSE results day, with pupils once again exceeding national averages in core subjects.
The school, which moved into new premises earlier this year, continues to build on a positive academic trajectory.
Principal Ian Daniel praised pupils for their dedication and resilience, highlighting the support of staff and parents. “The grades pupils achieved today are a product of their hard work over the course of their studies,” he said.
As a non-selective private school, Bedford Greenacre emphasised the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum and a holistic approach to learning, helping students to succeed academically and personally.
Many Year 11 students will now progress to the school’s expanding sixth form, with a limited number of places still available for September.
Castle Newnham
Students and staff at Castle Newnham School are celebrating an “excellent” set of GCSE results today, as the Class of 2025 mark a proud milestone in their academic journey.
The results reflect what the school claims is its commitment to the core values of community, opportunity, respect, and excellence, with strong performances across the board and continued improvement in key subjects.
Among those achieving top grades across a range of subjects were Filip Tovilovic, Arbri Miha, Leo Halimi, Clover Hunter-Brownsett, Bilal Shaikh, Isaac Barwood, Matilda Smith, Gosia Malaj and Jin Dana.
Maths saw strong outcomes, with 75% of students securing a grade 4 or above. English also saw another year of improvement, and the school celebrated excellent results in Hospitality & Catering and French.
Nearly all subjects showed progress this year, with leaders pointing to a consistent upward trend in performance.
Headteacher of the secondary school, Mrs Sara Levesley, said: “We are thrilled with this year’s GCSE results and I want to congratulate our Year 11 pupils and staff today.
“Our fantastic pupils, their dedicated teachers and their supportive families worked very hard, and everyone who was part of their journey should feel justifiably proud.”
Reflecting on the challenges this cohort faced, she added, “This group of young people started secondary school under the disruption of COVID, and they have worked hard to catch up on lost and disrupted learning.
“They had to face many issues that other year groups did not.”
“As a school, we feel proud to see our young people achieve stronger grades at GCSE year on year. This means they have the keys to move on with confidence to the next stage in their lives.
“Nothing should hold them back from what they want to achieve in the future.”
Sharnbrook Academy
Students and staff at Sharnbrook Academy are celebrating another set of “excellent” GCSE results after last year’s record-breaking results.
Following last year’s strong performance, this year’s Year 11 cohort has once again raised the bar, with outcomes that “reflect the hard work and determination of students, teachers and families alike”.
Top individual successes included:
- Mathumithan Senthilkumar – eleven grade 9s and one grade 8
- Ollie Mitchell – eight grade 9s, three grade 8s and a grade 7
- Holly Baillie – seven grade 9s, three grade 8s and one grade 5
- Giuseppe Panarisi – seven grade 9s, two grade 8s, two grade 7s and one grade 6
Clare Raku, Principal at Sharnbrook Academy, said: “I’m delighted with the results our students have achieved today, and feel incredibly proud of each and every one of our Year 11 students.
“Their results reflect the hard work and determination of every student, as well as the dedication of our exceptional teaching and support staff.
“I would also like to thank the families and carers whose encouragement and support have been invaluable in helping students reach their potential.
“We look forward to welcoming many students back to Sharnbrook Sixth Form in September and wish those continuing their post-16 journeys elsewhere the very best of luck.”
Executive Principal, Richard Spencer, said: “On behalf of everyone at the school, I want to say how proud we are of our Year 11 students receiving their results.
‘Your hard work, determination, and resilience over the past two years have been remarkable, and these achievements are a credit to you.
“This summer also marks the departure of our Principal, Clare Raku, whose leadership and commitment have left a lasting legacy at the school.
“These results are a reflection not only of our students’ efforts but also of the strong foundations she has helped build. We look forward to carrying that legacy forward as our students move on to their next exciting steps – congratulations to you all.”
Kempston Academy
Students and staff at Kempston Academy are celebrating a strong set of GCSE results today, marking the end of a hard-fought academic journey for this year’s Year 11 cohort.
Headteacher Paul House said the grades reflected “remarkable progress” over the past two years, praising the resilience of students and the “outstanding support” from staff across the school.
Among the standout achievers were:
- Lois Watts – two grade 9s, three grade 8s, and three Level 2 (L2) Distinctions
- Laura Gardocka – three grade 9s, four grade 8s and an L2 Distinction*
- Louis Gay – three grade 9s, four grade 8s and an L2 Distinction
- Lifaar Riyal – three grade 9s, a grade 8 and four grade 7s
Mr House added, “These results open the door to exciting futures full of opportunities for our Year 11 students. Everyone at Kempston Academy and Chiltern Learning Trust wishes them every success as they continue their education beyond 16.”
Adrian Rogers, CEO of the Chiltern Learning Trust, also congratulated the students, saying: “Your hard work and determination have been exceptional. I hope you enjoy celebrating this important milestone.”
Daubeney Academy
Year 11 students at Daubeney Academy were celebrating this morning after achieving the school’s highest-ever academic progress score in their GCSE results.
The school, part of the Chiltern Learning Trust, has recorded a Progress 8 score of +0.47, a major improvement on previous years and a reflection of what Headteacher Chris Carter called “a considerable improvement” over time.
In 2022, the school’s score stood at -0.5.
“We are thrilled with these results,” said Mr Carter. “It’s a culmination of a three-year upward trend and a tremendous achievement for our students, staff and wider community.”
Standout performers include:
- Owen Ashton – results included four grade 9s, two grade 8s and three grade 7s
- Taniya Bijoy – two grade 9s in both her English GCSE’s and 7s and 8s in everything else
- Olivia Jomon- three grade 9s, including two in Science, along with 7s and 6s elsewhere
- Diya Ladher – two grade 9s, and three grade 8s
Mr Carter also praised the school’s staff, families, and carers for their support, noting that improved attendance, now regularly reaching 95%, is a sign of the school’s positive culture.
Adrian Rogers, CEO of Chiltern Learning Trust, added, “The progress made by Daubeney’s students is truly impressive. I hope they all take the time to celebrate this fantastic achievement.”
Goldington Academy
Goldington Academy students were celebrating again this morning as the school reported “another year of excellent” GCSE results, with strong performances across a wide range of subjects.
More than a fifth of students achieved grade 7 or above in both English and maths, while 87% achieved grade 4 or higher. The school credits the success to high-quality personalised learning, targeted revision and intervention programmes, and a positive learning environment.
Principal Francis Galbraith said: “We are incredibly proud of the achievements of our students this year. These results are a testament to their hard work, the dedication of our staff, and the support of parents.”
Most students have now secured places at their chosen sixth forms and colleges. Mr Galbraith added, “We wish all of our students the very best as they begin the next chapter of their education.”
Bedford Academy
Bedford Academy students and staff are celebrating another “strong year” of GCSE results, with improvements across key measures and a surge in top grades.
English and Maths results saw a 3% rise in both the 9–4 and 9–5 categories, while the number of students achieving the highest grades (9–7) more than doubled from last year.
Nearly 20% of students earned a top grade in either English or Maths, with the average point score across the cohort rising to 4.36.
Among the school’s standout performers were:
- Lalita Sheimar – eight grade 9s and an average of 8.83
- Isaac Ayoola – four grade 9s and four grade 8s (average 8.33)
- Klaus Mukibi – four grade 9s with an average of 8.22
Headteacher Chris Deller said: “We are incredibly proud of our Year 11 students. They’ve worked incredibly hard, shown real determination, and these results reflect their efforts.”
Bedford Academy’s sixth form has also reached capacity, with all 150 places filled by a mix of returning and new students after a record number of applications.
Bedford Girls’ School
Students at Bedford Girls’ School are celebrating another “thrilling” set of GCSE results, rounding off a successful summer that also saw strong outcomes at A Level and in the IB Diploma.
Two-thirds of all entries were awarded grades 9–7, with a quarter achieving the top grade of 9. Every student passed all their subjects, marking a 100% pass rate across the board.
Acting Head, Mr John Gardner, praised the students’ hard work and the support of staff, “I am thrilled to celebrate the achievements of this year’s GCSE students.
“Their results reflect not only their dedication and curiosity but also the excellent guidance and support they have received from our teachers across all subjects.”
He added that the school’s focus goes beyond academic success: “We place great value on the broader experience of education, from sport and the arts to community involvement and discovering new interests.
“As they move into Sixth Form, I look forward to seeing this cohort continue to grow and thrive.”
Lincroft Academy
Lincroft Academy was filled with pride this morning as Year 11 students collected their GCSE results, with many surpassing target grades across a wide range of subjects.
Following one of the borough’s strongest performances last year, the school is “equally proud of this year’s achievements”, which reflect the students’ talent, determination, and months of hard work.
Principal Emma Appadoo said: “They have worked really hard over the past two years, and they should be very proud of their achievements. My thanks also go to our wonderful staff, and supportive parents and carers.”
Standout performers included:
- Oliver Bell – six GCSEs at grade 9 and two grade 8s
- Cecily Dyer – eight GCSEs at grade 7 and above, including three grade 9s
- Archie Griffiths – eight GCSEs at grade 7 and above, including three grade 9s
- Matthew Price – ten GCSEs at grade 7 and above, including two grade 9s
- Tara Grimshaw – ten GCSEs at grade 7 and above, including two grade 9s
- Freddie Theobald – ten GCSEs at grade 7 and above, including two grade 9s
- Isabelle Brazier – nine GCSEs at grade 7 and above, including two grade 9s
Executive Principal Richard Spencer added, “This is a moment to celebrate not only academic success but also the personal growth achieved and the opportunities that lie ahead. Congratulations to all students and their families – your efforts have truly paid off.”
Bedford College Group
The Bedford College Group is celebrating the achievements of thousands of students who have improved their GCSE English and Maths grades this year, marking an important step forward in their academic and career journeys.
More than 6,000 students sat GCSE exams across the Group’s sites in Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire.
Many were resitting English and Maths alongside other academic or vocational courses, with results showing how tailored support and determination can help students secure the qualifications they need.
Anthony Hart, Group Director of English and Maths, said: “We couldn’t be prouder of our students receiving their GCSE results today. Many have overcome previous setbacks and committed to their learning journey with us.
“These improved grades are a testament to their perseverance.”
The Bedford College Group praised the commitment of all students and staff, and reaffirmed its focus on building strong foundations in English and Maths to support future study and careers.
This is a moving story and may be updated as more news comes in.
