Following our summary from last week’s level 3 results, we move into another set of results. Our congratulations to students and teachers on the Level 2 qualifications, including GCSE, BTec Tech Awards, on the years of hard work leading up to today. We wish everyone luck with their next steps. 

We’ve compiled below some of the main points highlighted in the media and our reflections on the science specific entry levels and results.

Main points

• This is the cohort whose transition from primary to secondary school was disrupted by the onset of the Covid pandemic.
• Ofqual reports  ‘the picture is one of stability, with outcomes showing only minimal variation from previous years. This falls within the boundaries of natural year-on-year fluctuations.’  
• Outcomes at grade 7 and above are 21.8% compared with 21.6% in 2024, and outcomes at grade 4 and above are 67.1% compared with 67.4% in 2024. Pass grades are down slightly in England but up in Wales and NI.
• There has been a 14% increase in post-16-year-olds getting GCSE results today. This is due to the greater number of post-16 students taking English language and maths resits. 
• Regional disparities are still evident in England though the gap is narrowing for the first time since 2021. London still has the highest pass rate (71.6%) but this is down on previous years, and the West Midlands had the lowest (62.9%).
• The gap between boys’ and girls’ attainment has narrowed. Girls remain ahead for the top grades and in achieving grade 4 or above. This is due to a combination of boys performing marginally better and girls performing marginally less well than in 2024.
• Achievement between all state and private schools has widened to 28.6 percentage points from 28.4 last year.

Science specific results

• Fewer students sat GCSE biology, chemistry and physics but there was an increase in entries for combined science 
• Grades are up marginally across all sciences, but not changed significantly

Biology: 183539 entries vs 194925 in 2024, % achieving 7/A and above increased from 42.2 to 43.5% with very slight increase in 4/C and above from 89.3 to 89.4%

Chemistry: 174088 entries vs 185274 in 2024, 7/A and above increased from 44.9 to 46.1 % with increase in 4/C and above of 90.5 to 91.5%

Physics: 173227 entries vs 185035 in 2024, 7/A and above increased from 44.2 to 45.2% with increase in 4/C and above of 90.3 to 90.9 from 2024

Science double award: 989264 vs 980786 in 2024, showed small increase for 7/A and above from 9.1 to 9.3 % 

ASE reflections

The decrease in GCSE entries for Biology, Chemistry and Physics this year, with a smaller increase in Combined ‘Double’ Science entries, warrants further investigation to properly understand potential drivers and any longer-term trends.

There is an overall drop in GCSE entries this year, with many subjects experiencing a decrease. This is explained in part by the demographic dip but is also potentially an indicator that entries per pupil are down. Science is a core subject at GCSE but with an increase in Combined Science noted last year as well, the data may indicate a longer-term trend towards ‘Double Science’.

ASE advocates a single route through the sciences for all students taking GSCEs. The dual route through GCSE sciences (either GCSE Combined Science – two GCSEs, or Triple Science – three GCSEs) exacerbates social inequalities and hinders progression to further study of science post-16 for many young people. A single route for the sciences at GCSE would offer more equitable access, open up options for more young people to study a broad 14-16 curriculum whilst ensuring pathways to science A-levels or technical routes post-16 remain open for all.

For more detail see our response to the Curriculum and Assessment Review. 

We also know that there is a link between pupils having access to specialist teachers, and better entry rates (http://educationdatalab.org.uk/2015/03/teachers-with-a-physics-degree-may%20improve-entry-rates-to-gcse-physics-but-dont-appear-to-affect-attainment/ ). So shortages of specialist teachers is also a potential factor, both in terms of the school offer and pupil choice.

However, it is encouraging to note that science subjects continue to be popular at A level, with a particular rise in physics entries this year, but also in chemistry, with biology continuing to be amongst the top subjects chosen.

ASE continues to advocate for increased funding and access for teachers to high quality, ongoing professional learning and development, to help ensure that staff are supported (particularly if teaching out of specialism), stay in the profession and stay abreast of advancements in their field and continually enhance their teaching practices.

https://ofqual.blog.gov.uk/2025/08/21/gcse-and-level-1-and-2-results-2025-at-a-glance/
https://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results/gcse-and-level-12-results-summer-2025/