Remarkable achievements for Barnsley students as they celebrate GCSE and A-level results

Congratulations to all pupils across our borough receiving their GCSE exam results this morning with increased performance in all measures compared to last year’s figures. 

In total, 67.2 per cent of Barnsley’s 2,416 students who sat their GCSEs at our mainstream schools achieved a Grade 4 or above in both English and Maths, an increase of 8 per cent from 2024’s figures, with 47.2 percent achieving a Grade 5 or above in both subjects, an increase of 6 per cent.

In Barnsley, 78.3 per cent of pupils achieved Grade 4+ in English, substantially above the figure for Yorkshire and Humber.

Last week, students across Barnsley have also received their A-level results with a fantastic 97.9 per cent pass rate in the borough. 

While there has been a slight decrease compared to last year’s results, the pass rate in Barnsley continued to be higher than national average.

The percentage of students in Barnsley achieving a Grade A or A* has slightly decreased from 19.8 per cent last year to 19.1 per cent this year.

Penistone Grammar School maintained its 100 per cent pass rate and had 92.9 per cent of pupils getting three A-levels, with 33.9 per cent achieving a Grade A or A*, slight increase from 33.3 per cent in 2024.

Six students from Penistone Grammar School have secured a place at either Cambridge or Oxford universities, with 55 per cent of their students securing a place at one of Russell Group universities (24 leading, research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom, known for their high-quality research, academic standards, and strong emphasis on teaching and learning).

Meanwhile, Barnsley College saw a 97.2 per cent pass rate for students earning at least one A-level, while 62.3 per cent achieved three A-levels. In total, 14 per cent of Barnsley College students achieved a Grade A or A*.

Councillor Ashley Peace, Cabinet Support Member for Children’s Services, said: “Congratulations to all our GCSE and A-level students on their outstanding results. These achievements are a testament to their dedication, resilience, and the unwavering support from our incredible teachers, school support staff, parents and carers.

“It’s wonderful to see that the A-level pass rate in Barnsley remains higher than the national average, and you should be proud of your remarkable results. It’s also great to see improved performances across all the GCSE measures compared to 2024 - it's clear that the hard work and commitment of the students has paid off.

“For those who didn’t receive the grades they were hoping for, please remember that there are many options and plenty of support available if you are uncertain about your next steps.”

Schools and colleges offer support from dedicated advisers and have a wide range of information available. For students who need to go through the clearing process, the UCAS website has a dedicated webpage for this. 

The National Careers Service provides information to help young people decide on their next steps, and the exam results helpline can be contacted on 0800 100 900. 

Some young people may be seeking alternatives to higher education and many employers, including us, offer apprenticeship opportunities which help young people to gain new experiences and work skills. You can find out more on our website at barnsley.gov.uk /apprenticeships.