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State Schools Narrow Gap as Boys Surpass Girls in A-Levels

8/15/2025

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Summary

Story summary

A-level results indicate a reduced gap between state (76.5% C or above) and private schools (89.8% C or above).
For the first time in seven years, boys surpassed girls in top grades, with 28.4% receiving A or A*.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted the need to tackle inequalities in exam performance among disadvantaged students.

History

Historical Context

In 2010, the UK government launched the Pupil Premium, allocating £2.5 billion to support disadvantaged students and address educational inequalities. This initiative emerged amid concerns over the 76.5% pass rate in state schools compared to 89.8% in private institutions. Recent A-level results indicate a narrowing performance gap, highlighting ongoing efforts to ensure equitable educational opportunities for all students.

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Story summary

A-level results indicate a reduced gap between state (76.5% C or above) and private schools (89.8% C or above).
For the first time in seven years, boys surpassed girls in top grades, with 28.4% receiving A or A*.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson highlighted the need to tackle inequalities in exam performance among disadvantaged students.

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