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North East A-level Gap Widens
2 Sep
Summary
- A-level grade gap between North East and London is largest since pandemic.
- Hartlepool and Sunderland show some of the lowest top A-level grades.
- Homework clubs and university mentors aim to improve results.
The gap in top A-level grades between young people in north-east England and London has become the most significant since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Data from 2026 reveals that approximately 23.1% of A-level entries in the North East achieved A or A* grades, in contrast to London's 32.7%.
This disparity is more pronounced in specific areas, with Hartlepool and Sunderland reporting some of the lowest figures nationally. In Hartlepool, only 10.5% of entries received top grades, while Sunderland recorded 13.2%. Educational charities, such as IntoUniversity, are actively working to improve these outcomes, with one branch established in Hartlepool last year.
Initiatives including free homework clubs and the involvement of university mentors are being deployed to support students. Skills minister Jacqui Smith expressed the government's strong commitment to reducing this educational gap.
