GCSE results day often brings mixed emotions, and for some students, the outcome necessitates considering resits. A recent case highlighted by a worried mother on Mumsnet brought to light the challenges faced by students who don't achieve passing grades. Her daughter, despite receiving private tuition for a year and a half, failed all her GCSEs, scoring only grade 3s (a pass is typically grade 4 or higher). This was particularly surprising as she had previously scored around fives in practice papers for maths, English, and science.

A significant hurdle for the family was the daughter's school not allowing resits. This prompted an outpouring of advice from other parents. Many suggested that local colleges would be the appropriate pathway for resitting exams. Students who score below a grade 4 in maths or English are generally required to resit these subjects at school or college until they pass or turn 18. Colleges often facilitate these resits alongside other vocational courses or, if qualified, A-levels. Alternatives like functional skills Level 2, which are equivalent to GCSE passes, or exploring apprenticeships and trades were also recommended, particularly given the initial plan for the daughter to study A-levels in history, sociology, and business, which some felt might not be the right path after failing all GCSEs.

In the broader context of GCSE results, this year's 16-year-olds were the first cohort to complete their entire secondary education during the Covid-19 pandemic, starting Year 7 in autumn 2020. Despite initial fears of long-term disruption, overall GCSE results remained remarkably stable. Official data showed 21.9% of entries in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland achieved top marks (grade 7/A or above), consistent with the previous year and higher than pre-pandemic levels in 2019. A record 576 teenagers achieved straight 9s in at least ten subjects.

However, English and maths continue to be challenging subjects, with only 60.2% securing a pass in English and 58.3% in maths. Older pupils, specifically those aged 17 and over, face particular difficulties, with their entry numbers for resits jumping by 12.1% this year to 482,402. In these compulsory English and maths resits, only 19.7% managed to pass English and 15.3% passed maths. This ongoing struggle has led education leaders to advocate for the government's policy of compulsory resits in these two subjects at GCSE to be re-evaluated and potentially scrapped.