Home / Education / GCSEs 2025: Boys Close Gender Gap Amidst Pandemic Bounce Back
GCSEs 2025: Boys Close Gender Gap Amidst Pandemic Bounce Back
20 Aug
Summary
- GCSE gender gap narrows to its smallest level since 2016.
- Boys improve in key subjects like maths and English.
- Pupils show strong recovery post-Covid, with higher top grades.
In 2025, GCSE results reveal a significant shift as the gender gap narrows to its smallest point since 2016. Boys have shown improved performance in crucial subjects such as maths and English across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This contrasts with a slight backward trend observed in girls' results within their traditionally strong subjects like English.
The cohort taking exams in 2026, who were in Year 5 when the pandemic began in 2020, faced significant disruption. However, pupils in England have demonstrated a remarkable recovery from Covid-related challenges, achieving higher top grades. This academic year saw 23% of students attain a grade 7 or above, a rise from 22.6% in 2024, and 70.4% achieved a grade 4 or above.
Northern Ireland also reported an increase, with 31.4% of pupils achieving A and A* grades (equivalent to 7+), and 63.8% securing a C or above. Wales saw top grades rise to 20.1%, with 63.8% achieving a C or better. These results echo the positive trend seen in A-level exams from the previous week.
