Key A-Level result trends revealed as London scores record grades
The gap between the proportion of entries in London getting the top grades and the equivalent figure in both the North East and the East Midlands has reached its largest ever size.
On Thursday, it was revealed that 32.7% of pupils collecting their grades in London were allocated A*- A classifications – a 0.6% increase compared to 2025.
The next best performing region, the South East, saw 31.5% of students achieve A*- A grades compared to 31.3% last year.
The East of England was third at 27.9% - a 0.1% drop on 2025. London grades were 9.6 percentage points ahead of the worst performing regions - the North East and East Midland.
This is the biggest it has been since the present system of grading began in 2010.
Teenagers across the city were celebrating their record results as national figures show the proportion of A-level entries awarded top grades rose slightly again this year, remaining above pre-pandemic highs.
Aminata Townsend, 18, from Haggerston School in Hackney, achieved three A* results in English Literature, History, and Economics and has secured her place to study English Literature at the University of Cambridge.
She said: “I needed three A*s to get in - I didn’t think I would get them because you come out of the exams and you’re not sure how you have done.
“I had really great teachers - my history teachers were really great. Miss Green and Miss Owusu, they were very engaging and you trust them because they have been teaching for a long time.
“I’m now looking forward to going out celebrating with my friends.”
Lily Brown has become the first ever pupil from the Logic Studio School in Feltham to get into Oxbridge after achieving three As to secure her place to study History at St Hilda's College, Oxford.
The 18-year-old said: “It means a lot to be the first Oxbridge student at the school.
"Being the first to get an offer was a big hurdle to get over, it’s not always the easiest being the first to do something. I was nervous.
“When I was first applying I was too shy to tell anyone. When I got the offer I was ecstatic. But then the hard work really begun.I hope that me getting in helps people realise they can do it."
Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, said: “It is fantastic to see the hard work and dedication of young people across the capital recognised and I hope you take the time to celebrate your amazing achievements with family, friends and teachers who have supported you along the way.
“If your results aren’t quite what you expected, know that there are many pathways to success.
“Your teachers, guardians, the National Career Service and the UCAS website are all there to offer advice and options to explore.”
At a national level, 10.7% of A-level entries this year in Wales received A*, higher than the equivalent figure for England (9.6%) and Northern Ireland (8.8%).
For entries awarded A or above, Northern Ireland was ahead at 30.7%, above Wales (29.6%) and England (28.3%).
Maths remained the most popular subject at A-level this year – the 13th year in a row it has topped the table.
More than one in eight of all UK A-level entries (12.7%) were for the subject, figures show.
There is a clear gender divide, with more boys choosing the subject than girls.
There were 72,619 boys’ entries for A-level maths this year, making up 63% of entries, compared to 42,761 for girls’ (37%).
Boys outperformed girls in terms of top grades again, after doing so for the first time in seven years last year.
Overall, 28.9% of boys’ A-level entries scored an A* or A this summer, compared to 28% of their female classmates’ entries – a gap of 0.9 percentage points.
Economics has seen a leap in popularity this year.
It is now the fifth most popular subject for students, climbing up from 10th in 2025. In total, there were more than 47,000 UK entries for economics.