A-Level Results and Regional Attainment Gaps in London 2026

Key Points

• National Stability: This year’s results for A-levels for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland are relatively stable with very marginal differences in the distribution of grades when compared to the previous year of 2025.
• Higher Top Grades: The ratio of A* grades in England was 9.6% (from 9.4% in 2025), and 28.3% of entries received either A or A* grade.
• Regional Inequality: According to Freddie Whittaker in his article for Schools Week, the disparity between the best and worst-performing regions of England increased to 9.6%. London remains the leader in performance with 32.7% at A or above, and both East Midlands and North East take the bottom positions.
• Subject Popularity: Mathematics is once again the most popular subject, followed by Further Maths with substantial growth. Among the top subjects, Economics showed the greatest number of new entries.
• Vocational Courses Development: There was a significant increase in participation in T-levels, with 19,665 students receiving their results – a 65.1% increase compared to last year.
• Gender Gap: There continues to be a gender gap in favor of boys in terms of top grades (at the A* level now). Nevertheless, girls have more overall top grades than boys because of having more entries.

London (The Londoner News) August 15, 2026 – Students across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have received their A-level results this week, with data revealing a national picture of stability underpinned by concerning evidence of persistent regional and socioeconomic inequalities. While the overall proportion of top grades saw a slight upward tick, education leaders have expressed urgent concern regarding the widening disparities between the highest and lowest-performing areas of the country.

How did A-level results perform nationally in 2026?

The 2026 results, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), indicate a largely stable landscape following years of pandemic-era turbulence. According to data provided by the JCQ, 28.3% of grades in England were awarded at A or A*, a marginal increase from 28.2% in 2025. The proportion of the highest possible grade, the A*, saw a more distinct rise to 9.6%, up from 9.4% the previous year.

Amanda Swann, writing for the Ofqual blog, highlighted that this consistency reflects the standard of work required for grades remaining constant. She noted that small year-on-year movements are typical and largely driven by shifting subject entry patterns rather than changes in grading policy.

Why are regional disparities in exam results being described as ‘significant’?

Despite the national stability, the geographical breakdown of the data has drawn sharp criticism. As reported by Freddie Whittaker of Schools Week, the gap between the best-performing region (London) and the worst-performing regions (East Midlands and the North East) has expanded to 9.6 percentage points.

Pepe Di’Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, speaking to Schools Week, stated that while results were consistent,

“this also means that very significant disparities continue to exist between the English regions in terms of top grades.”

He added:

“These results are clearly affected by relative levels of socioeconomic disadvantage and reflect the structural inequalities that exist in our nation.”

Di’Iasio urged policymakers to move beyond annual rhetoric, questioning: “Every year we say that we cannot go on like this and that as a society we must do more to support communities that often feel abandoned and neglected. When will we actually do that?”

Which subjects saw the biggest shifts in popularity?

Mathematics maintained its position as the most widely studied subject, accounting for approximately one in eight A-level results. Its influence on national trends is significant; the slight rise in the overall proportion of A* and A grades was partly attributed by Ofqual to a rise in top grades within maths, which increased from 41.6% in 2025 to 42.1% in 2026.

Further Maths also experienced strong growth. Among the top ten subjects, Economics saw the most substantial increase in entries, rising by 10.5% and cementing its place as the fifth most popular A-level subject, as noted by FE News.

How are vocational and technical qualifications performing?

A notable success story in this year’s results cycle is the growth of T-levels. According to FE News, 19,665 students received T-level results, a 65.1% increase on the previous year. Furthermore, 92.6% of these students achieved a pass or above.

Margaret Farragher, chief executive of the JCQ, stated via Schools Week that this year’s inclusion of 421 vocational and technical qualifications alongside A-level data provides “better transparency of the full range of qualifications schools and colleges offer to support students progress into work, apprenticeships or higher and further education.”

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What is the current state of the gender gap in A-level success?

The 2026 results confirmed a widening gender gap in top grades. While girls continue to represent the majority of A-level entries—making up 54% of the total—the proportion of A* grades now favours boys, a trend that has evolved since the pandemic.

In Wales, as reported by Dr Nyle Bevan-Clark for Senedd Research, female students outperformed males at all grade points at the A-level stage except for the A* grade, where males outperformed females by 1.8 percentage points. This reversal at the very top end of the grading scale continues a pattern observed since 2019, with the exception of 2021 when results were centre-determined.

What should students do if their results were unexpected?

For students who did not receive the grades they required, the guidance remains focused on flexibility and exploration. As highlighted by The Uni Guide, results day is often accompanied by significant anxiety, but clearing remains a robust pathway for those seeking to secure university places.

Joe Woodcock, head of community at The Student Room, advised that “Clearing opens in early July and a lot of the courses will be listed from then,” suggesting that students should research options well in advance. Experts also remind students that there are multiple routes forward, including accepting insurance university offers, retaking exams, or exploring apprenticeship and employment opportunities that utilise the skills gained through level 3 qualifications.

As the dust settles on the 2026 results day, the focus of the education sector now shifts to the upcoming GCSE results, scheduled for release on Thursday, August 20, 2026, which will provide the final piece of the academic performance puzzle for the year.