The gap in GCSE results has widened, with London extending its lead over northern England and the Midlands in top grades, exam figures show.

A country-wide high of 28.6 per cent of entries in the capital achieved grade 7 or above, rising from 28.4 per cent in 2025.

Conversely, North East England registered the lowest rate, with 17.7 per cent awarded at least a 7, down from 17.8 per cent last year.

This expands the gap between these regions to 10.9 percentage points, up from 10.6 in 2025, representing the largest difference since records began in 2010.

Across North West England, 18.9 per cent of entries earned grade 7 or higher, a minor increase from 18.8 per cent in 2025.

The disparity between London and the North West grew to 9.7 points, up from 9.6 in 2025, nearing the recent high of 9.9 points set in 2024.

There has also been a widening of the gap between London and both the East and West Midlands, to the largest size since at least 2010.

In the East Midlands, 18.2 per cent of entries received grade 7 or above, 10.4 points behind London (up from 10.3 points in 2025), while in the West Midlands it was 18.3% of entries, 10.3 points behind London (up from 9.9).

The regional patterns are more varied for GCSE entries awarded grade 4 or above.

London again has the highest rate at 71.7 per cent, up from 71.6 per cent in 2025, but here it is the West Midlands that has the lowest figure, at 62.4 per cent, down from 62.9 per cent.

South-west England saw the largest percentage-point drop, falling from 69.1 per cent to 68.3 per cent.

The gap has narrowed between the capital and north-east England, from 6.7 points to 6.5, with the North East seeing a rise in entries awarded grade 4 or above from 64.9 per cent to 65.2 per cent.

At a national level, 31.7 per cent of entries in Northern Ireland received grade 7/A or higher, above the equivalent figure for England (21.8 per cent) and Wales (19.6 per cent).

For entries awarded 4/C or higher, Northern Ireland was ahead at 83.6 per cent, some way above England (67.0 per cent) and Wales (62.3 per cent).