Education gap is both 'predictable and preventable'

EDUCATION leaders have called for urgent action after the gap between the number of students getting top A-level grades between the North East and London grew to its highest level.

- GRAEME WHITFIELD

Nearly a third (32.1%) of entries in the capital were awarded A or A* this year, compared to just 22.9% in the North East.

That gap is the highest since the current system of grading was introduced, the 2025 exam figures show. North East England was also one of just two regions to see a year-on-year drop in entries receiving top grades.

The North East has the lowest number of children getting A or A*s, though it fared slightly better in students getting grade C or above, which came in at 74.9%.

School leaders in the region congratulated young people on their achievements but are pressing the Government, with Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson and Schools Minister Catherine McKinnell both North East MPs, to tackle the regional differences.

The Schools North East group, which represents hundreds of schools in the region, said the “gap between regions is driven by longstanding, deep-rooted inequalities” and called the results “predictable and preventable”.