Students sitting GCSE exams and formal assessments this summer have shown incredible resilience, and today we celebrate their success. To recognise the disruption that they have experienced, due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Ofqual made arrangements with the Department for Education and exam boards to put in place an unprecedented package of support for students.

This support included some changes to coursework to reflect public health restrictions in place at the time students were doing their assessments, a choice of content in some subjects, and formulae and equation sheets were provided in maths and science. Exam boards also published advance information in February which gave information about some of the topics that would be in the exams. This was intended to help students to focus their revision and make the exams feel less daunting.

For all subjects, there has been lenient grading, reflecting a staging post between 2021 and 2019 grades.

Dr Jo Saxton, Chief Regulator, said:

Students collecting GCSE results today can be so proud of their achievements – a testament to their hard work and resilience over the past 2 years. I know, from visiting schools and colleges across England since September, that students and teachers welcome the return of exams and formal assessments. Students told me that they wanted the chance to prove themselves in this tried and tested way.

As with A level results, today’s GCSE results are higher overall than those of 2019, and – as we have always said – lower than in 2021, when there was a different method of assessment. It makes sense to compare this year’s results with those of 2019 when exams were last sat. I felt strongly that it would not have been right to go straight back to pre-pandemic grading in one go but accept that we do need to continue to take steps back to normality. These results overall, coming as they do broadly midway between 2021 and 2019, represent a staging post on that journey.

Key points

1. This is the first summer exam series since 2019. Today’s results should not be compared to 2020 or 2021, because of the different methods of assessment.

2. Overall GCSE results are higher than in 2019. Outcomes at grade 7 and above are 26.0% compared with 20.6% in 2019, and outcomes at grade 4 and above are 73.0% compared with 67.0% in 2019.

3. The results for GCSE French and German reflect the adjustments we required exam boards to make, following our announcement that we would aim to better align grade standards with Spanish

Today (25 August 2022) we are publishing:

As in a typical year, the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) has published results in England for GCSE, overall and by subject. These results are also shown in our interactive visualisation.

Centre type results

Ofqual has updated its interactive visualisation to show GCSE results for different types of school and college compared to previous years, overall and by subject. The centre type categories are based on the national centre number (NCN) register and are self-reported by centres.

Overall results for all types of schools and colleges are higher than in 2019 at grade 7 and above. The extent to which outcomes have changed relative to 2019 is likely, in part, to reflect longstanding differences in the pattern of results for different centre types. This summer results will also reflect any differential impact of the pandemic.

Cumulative percentage outcomes by centre type – grade 7 and above

At grade 4 and above results for different types of school and college vary relative to 2019. This is likely to reflect the changing cohort in some types of centre. For example, there is a much smaller post-16 cohort this summer, and these learners typically make up the majority of the entries in further education establishments and colleges.

Cumulative percentage outcomes by centre type – grade 4 and above

Centre variability

Ofqual’s interactive visualisation shows the level of variation in schools’ and colleges’ GCSE results compared to 2019. We know that, in any year, individual schools and colleges may see variation in the proportion of students achieving particular grades compared to previous years. This can be due to many different factors, including differences in the mix of students entered for particular qualifications, different teaching approaches, changes in teaching staff or teaching time, and changes to qualifications. This year, the approach to grading is also more lenient than pre-pandemic.

In general, there is slightly more variation in centres’ results. This is not surprising, given that comparisons are being made over a longer time period (3 years). Our interactive visualisation allows users to explore variation in centres’ results for different age groups and sizes of centres.

Equalities analyses

Now that results have been issued, Ofqual will be repeating the equalities analyses we published in 2020 and 2021. It was not possible for us to complete this analysis ahead of results being issued, because final data from exams is only available very close to results days. We will publish this as soon as we can, in the autumn.

In 2020 and 2021, this analysis considered whether the gaps between the results for different groups of students, which are observed in years when exams go ahead, had changed. This summer the same assessment arrangements have applied to all students. Any changes in the differences in outcomes for students with different protected characteristics are likely due to other factors, such as the impact of the pandemic.

Grade boundaries

Exam boards have set grade boundaries this summer based on a combination of qualitative and quantitative evidence. As in previous years when exams took place, there has been an important role for examiner judgement in reviewing the quality of students’ work.

In general, grade boundaries are lower this summer than in 2019. This is not surprising given the lenient approach to grading. Not all grade boundaries are lower than 2019 though, since the position of the boundaries also reflects the difficulty of the assessment. The assessment arrangements in a number of GCSE subjects were also different this summer – for example, there was a choice of content in some subjects. For these specifications, direct comparisons between grade boundaries this summer and in 2019 cannot be made.

GCSE French and German

In 2019 we announced that we would seek to align grade standards in GCSE French and German with Spanish, following the conclusion of our inter-subject comparability work. This summer we required exam boards to make an upward adjustment in both French and German at grades 9, 7 and 4. This was taken into account during awarding and is reflected in the outcomes. We will review this and consider whether any further adjustments are required in future series.

The CMA has today required Veolia to sell 3 businesses after an in-depth merger investigation concluded the merger gives rise to competition concerns in a number of markets.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has concluded that Veolia must sell substantial parts of the merged business:

• Suez’s UK waste management services businesses;

• Suez’s UK industrial water operation and maintenance services business; and

• Veolia’s European mobile water services business.

These businesses make up almost all of the overlap between Veolia’s and Suez’s competing operations in the UK.

In response to the provisional findings of the Phase 2 inquiry, Veolia said that it would sell the UK Suez waste business. The CMA will determine the conditions of the sale, as well as the sales of the 2 water services businesses.

The CMA will need to approve the purchasers of each business before the completion of each sale.

Veolia and Suez are both global players in waste and water management. In 2020, the companies generated approximately £2bn and £1bn in the UK respectively – roughly 10% and 7% of their annual global revenues.

Veolia and Suez are active across the full waste management supply chain. They collect waste from households and businesses, sort it for recycling and composting and dispose of the remaining waste – some of which is incinerated to produce electricity. Many local authorities in the UK rely heavily on either Veolia or Suez to meet their waste management needs. The companies also supply water and wastewater management services to industrial customers.

Throughout the investigation, the CMA heard from a number of councils and customers who were concerned about the potential impact of the merger on the cost and quality of the services they receive. Ultimately, taxpayers and businesses would have been left to cover any increase in cost.

Stuart McIntosh, Chair of the CMA inquiry group, said:

Local authority budgets are already under strain, and this deal is likely to lead to them paying more and receiving a lower-quality service. The negative impact would have ultimately fallen on taxpayers at a time when they are feeling the pressure of the cost of living crisis.

Given our concerns about the merger, we have concluded that Veolia must sell most of the operations it took over in the UK when it acquired Suez. We will now work with Veolia to ensure that appropriate buyers are found so that businesses, councils – and ultimately taxpayers – will not lose out.

The CMA’s final report, published today, confirms its provisional findings issued in May. It rules that the merger would lead to competition concerns in 5 waste markets and 2 water treatment markets. In each of these markets, the merging businesses currently compete closely and would face limited competition after the merger. The CMA found that this would be likely to result in higher cost or lower quality services for councils, with knock-on effects for taxpayers, as well as businesses across the UK.

The CMA launched an investigation into the deal between Veolia and Suez in October 2021. The transaction was referred for an in-depth Phase 2 review, which is led by an independent inquiry group, in December 2021.

This deal has been reviewed by a number of competition authorities across the world. Major divestments were also required in the EU and in Australia.

For more information, visit the Veolia / Suez merger inquiry page.

1. For media enquiries, contact the CMA press office on 020 3738 6460 or press@cma.gov.uk.

2. The CMA found that the merger would lead to a Substantial Lessening of Competition (SLC) in the following areas:

• Collection of non-hazardous waste for municipal customers;

• Operation and maintenance of material recovery facilities (i.e. sorting of waste after collection) for municipal customers;

• Operation and maintenance of Energy Recovery Facilities (i.e. incineration) for municipal customers;

• Supply of incineration services to customers in 2 local areas;

• Collection of non-hazardous waste for commercial and industrial customers;

• Operation and maintenance of water and wastewater treatment facilities for industrial customers; and

• Provision of mobile water services to industrial customers.

This includes one Malaysian who received a Chevening Fellowship to complete a short course at the Oxford Centre of Islamic Studies.

The Chevening award is the UK Government’s global scholarship programme, funded and administered by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. This is complemented by generous sponsorships by Malaysian corporate partners including CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, Yayasan Khazanah and the Jeffrey Cheah Foundation. British universities also provide additional funding in support of the Chevening programme.

His Excellency Charles Hay MVO, British High Commissioner to Malaysia, hosted a pre-departure briefing and reception for the scholars this evening. At the reception, he said:

Malaysia’s growing appetite for higher education in the UK is reflected in the increase in Chevening Scholarships applications. We received a total of 748 applications for the 2022/23 compared to 620 applications in the preceding year. I am pleased to announce that the UK is awarding 39 Chevening Scholarships to Malaysia. This is just one example of how education remains the most enduring aspects of the UK-Malaysia relationship.

He added:

The 2023/24 Chevening application cycle is now open and I encourage more Malaysians from every state to apply. The Chevening programme provides leaders of tomorrow with a 360 educational experience which includes exploring UK’s diverse culture.

Malaysians who wish to get a scholarship to pursue a post-graduate degree in the UK should apply by 1 November 2022. More information is available on the Chevening website.

The current batch of scholars will be heading to the UK as early as September this year to pursue a wide range of postgraduate programmes at top UK universities, including subjects such as climate change, law, public policy, public health and filmmaking.

Scholar Shimri Lim who is attending University of Birmingham to study Trauma Science MSc said:

I am extremely excited about the opportunity to learn from leading experts in Trauma Care at the University of Birmingham which has a joint civilian & military trauma centre based in Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. The one year with Chevening is an unparalleled platform to build professional relationships which I am determined to utilise to the fullest for the benefit of Malaysia and the UK. The Masters in Trauma Science will equip me with the necessary knowledge to further improve the Health Services of the Malaysian Armed Forces. Chevening has enabled me to be one step closer to my goal of providing state-of-the-art trauma care for the Malaysian soldiers and our allies.

Sarawakian scholar Nur Afifah Binti Ismail said:

Being a Chevening scholar this year, I look forward to receiving a world-class education and gaining a wider perspective from like-minded people from around the world. Exchanging ideas and building networks is a must while achieving my long-time dream to watch Formula 1 at the Silverstone in England. My focus is on Digital Media and Communication at the University of Stirling. I hope that the various aspects of digital communication skill I learn will allow me to educate youngsters to speak up for justice and against inequality through digital platforms. I hope my contribution in Malaysia when I return can kickstart more opportunities and an inclusive future for youths in Sarawak.

Sabahan scholar Russell Rohny who will be attending the University of Edinburgh to study Global Mental Health and Society said:

My heart is accelerating for the growth that I will experience during the upcoming Chevening journey, especially in making friends with diverse individuals from around the world, challenging my wisdom by diving deeper into interdisciplinary studies, and immersing into the British culture in the heart of Scotland. As someone of Iban, Murut and Dusun heritage from Tambunan, Sabah, I will carry my indigenous values with me throughout this one year. Driven by passion and resilience, I want to raise awareness about mental health among the multi-ethnic communities of Sabah. I want to contribute towards formulating sustainable approaches to this issue, nationally and internationally.

Scholar Charina Pria Sivayogam who will be attending University of Kent to study Conservation and International Wildlife Trade said:

I am grateful to be awarded the Chevening scholarship as it allows me to grow my skillset and explore other innovative approaches to countering wildlife crime at University of Kent. This illicit issue does not only impact wildlife population but also our livelihood, national security, emerging zoonotic diseases, and more. It is exciting to have the opportunity to learn from experts and study at the institute that is at the forefront of multidisciplinary research in conservation that examines these issues from all angles. With this, I look forward to contributing to Malaysia’s ongoing efforts in protecting our natural heritage.

Malaysia is the second largest recipient of Chevening awards in ASEAN and there are already over 1,700 Chevening alumni in Malaysia.