Behind England’s bumper A-level results lie record levels of regional disparities
Summary
England’s A-level exam results showed record high top grades overall, but with a large and growing gap between London students and those in other regions. London had much higher rates of top grades compared to places like the East Midlands and the north-east, highlighting regional differences in educational opportunity.Key Facts
- Nearly one-third (32.7%) of A-level students in London earned top grades (A* or A), up 6 percentage points from last year.
- Less than a quarter (23.1%) of students in the East Midlands earned A* or A grades, slightly down from 23.8% last year.
- The gap in top grades between London and the north-east is now 9.6 percentage points, much larger than the pre-pandemic gap of 3.9 points in 2019.
- The gap in A* grades between London and other regions increased from 2 points in 2019 to 5.1 points in 2026.
- Experts say the disparities show that talent is spread evenly across the country but opportunities are not.
- Programs like London Challenge and regional improvement teams aim to raise standards in lower-performing areas.
- Schools in disadvantaged areas face more challenges such as higher public service pressure and special needs demands.
- Officials call for a long-term strategy addressing education, health, transport, and economic opportunities to reduce regional gaps.
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