Celebrations for Barnsley students as they collect GCSE results

Students at schools across Barnsley picked up their GCSE results today, with a fantastic improved performance in the core subjects of English and maths.

In total, 67.3 percent of Barnsley’s 2,483 students who sat their GCSEs at our mainstream schools achieved a Grade 4 or above in both English and maths.

This is an improvement of 3.5 percentage points on last year’s figure of 63.8 per cent.

Among those sitting GCSEs in Barnsley this year, 48.4 percent achieved a Grade 5 or above in both English and maths – a rise of 3.4 percentage points on the 2025 figure of 45 percent.

In Barnsley, 77.2 percent of pupils achieved Grade 4 or above in English and 70.8 percent received a Grade 4 or higher in maths.

The figure for English is 3.2 percentage points above last year’s 74 percent and substantially better than the 2026 regional average of 56.2 percent.

This year’s Barnsley average for maths represents a rise of 2.7 percentage points from last year.

Councillor Gary Hall, Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services, said: “After last week’s excellent A-level results, it’s great to see another strong set of results from Barnsley’s GCSE students.

“Congratulations to everyone receiving their results today. Your achievements reflect years of hard work and commitment.

“We are proud of what you have achieved, and wish you all the best for the future.

“My sincere thanks to the school and college staff, parents and carers who have supported our young people in their education.

“We are dedicated to working in partnership with our schools through the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance to help every child in the borough receive the best possible education and achieve their goals.

“For those whose results weren’t what they were aiming for, remember that there are plenty of options and support available to help you decide your next steps.”

Pupils who did not get the results they had hoped for can access support from their schools. Our partners at Barnsley College can also offer advice and guidance on opportunities for young people in further education. Find out more about what’s available at barnsley.ac.uk.

The National Careers Service also offers information to help young people think about their next steps. You can contact the exam results helpline on 0800 100 900.

Young people considering alternatives to further education may wish to explore apprenticeships.

Many businesses and organisations in Barnsley, including Barnsley Council, offer apprenticeship opportunities, which enable young people to gain new experiences and work skills. You can find out more at barnsley.gov.uk/services/jobs/apprenticeships.