'Bravo!' - York and North Yorkshire students celebrate GCSE success
All Saints students celebrate (Image: Provided)
IT’S A ‘bravo!’ to York pupils as thousands of children receive their first ever sets of exam grades on GCSE results day.
National figures across England show the number of pupils getting top grades has risen again with 22 per cent of entries were awarded at least a grade 7 or an A with last year when 21.9 per cent of UK entries were awarded those grades.
However, while top grades have increased, the proportion of entries earning at least a grade 4 or C - considered a "standard pass" - has fallen by 0.1 of a per cent and now matches the 2019 rate.
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Cllr Bob Webb, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said: "Congratulations to all the young people receiving their GCSE and Key Stage 4 results today.
"Reaching this point reflects years of hard work, commitment and determination, and I would also like to thank the teachers, school staff, parents, carers and families who have supported students throughout their journey.
"Today is a significant milestone and a moment to celebrate each young person's achievements. Whether you are moving on to sixth form, college, an apprenticeship, training or employment, these results mark the beginning of your next chapter.
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At York schools, the mood was a celebratory one with most centres outperforming their own results from previous years.
York High School said that they were ‘delighted’ to announce a second consecutive year of exceptional GCSE outcomes.
Head Gavin Kumar said that after breaking all previous records last summer, the school has delivered another outstanding set of results that reflect the ambition, hard work, and sustained dedication of both pupils and staff alike.
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At Fulford, head Russell Harris said that this year's cohort had made the school extremely proud.
He said: "These outcomes represent some of the strongest results ever achieved by the school, with significant improvements across all key measures and notable increases in the number of students attaining the highest grades.
"This year's students have delivered another superb set of results, with almost 30% achieving a Grade 7 or above in both English and Mathematics, while over 70% secured a Grade 5 or above in both subjects
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“The results are a testament to the exceptional effort, ambition and determination shown by this year group throughout their time at Fulford.”
Joseph Rowntree also celebrated their grades, with assistant head teacher Lois Venn adding: "We are pleased to see their hard work rewarded with strong academic performance. Over 20% of grades awarded are grade 7 to 9 with 75 grade 9s being achieved.”
Many schools praised their student’s reliance, having missed their SATS during the COVID pandemic and GCSEs marking the first time that they had sat their big exams.
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Kavina Rothenburg, Principal at Millthorpe School said: “We are all incredibly proud of our students at Millthorpe. They have achieved excellent results.”
This was echoed by Jordan Cairns at Manor Church of England Academy, who added: “We are incredibly proud of our students and the results they have achieved this year. They reflect the hard work, commitment and determination of our young people, supported every step of the way by our dedicated staff and families.”
In the private sector, St Peter’s School is celebrating a record set of GCSE results with 50% of all grades at 9 or 8 (previously A*), 29% at the highest grade of 9 and over two thirds at 9 to 7 (previously A* to A).
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Bootham School saw results rise for the fourth consecutive year, with an impressive 61% of all results awarded today achieving a grade 9, 8 or 7.
The Mount School in York reported that 31 per cent of grades were at 8 or 9, up from 28 per cent last year, with more than half (over 51 per cent) at grade 7 or above, compared to 42 per cent in 2025.
Head, Anna Wilby, said: "I am delighted and proud of how well our wonderful girls have done with these excellent GCSE results for 2026. Bravo!”