This week sees thousands of pupils from across parts of the uk collect their GCSE results. Students have experienced a more standard build up to exams which have been sat in the traditional way, with results across England and Wales heading towards pre-pandemic levels.

GCSE grades this year show a slight decline compared to last year, moving closer to pre-pandemic levels. Notably, a significant portion of grades, nearly two-thirds, fall within the range of A* to C. This academic year has witnessed a return to pre-pandemic teaching methods, incorporating measures to acknowledge the learning disruptions faced by students. The overall GCSE results align closely with those of 2009. In England, achievements at grade 7 and above stand at 21.6%, an improvement from 20.6% in 2009. In Wales, an impressive 21.7% of students secured the highest grades.

We speak to Asaph, a 13-year-old from Pembrokeshire, who has successfully completed his GCSEs after studying online.