Celebrating exam success and amplifying the North East’s voice
This summer has once again showcased the talent, resilience, and determination of young people across our region. From A Levels and T Levels to BTECs and GCSEs, thousands of students received results that reflect years of hard work, perseverance, and the unwavering support of their schools.
We want to take a moment to celebrate these achievements. Every grade represents not just academic attainment, but a story of resilience: of students overcoming challenges, education staff going the extra mile, and schools working together to give every child the chance to thrive.
Student success in 2025
At post-16, almost a quarter of students (22.9%) achieved top A Level grades, with nearly 7% securing an A*.
While the North East remains one of the regions facing the steepest challenges in closing the attainment gap with London, these results include remarkable individual stories of triumph that remind us what our schools and students are capable of.
GCSE results also showed progress: nearly two-thirds of pupils achieved a grade 4 or higher, and the proportion achieving a grade 7 or above has risen significantly since before the pandemic.
Behind each of these numbers is a young person whose future opportunities have been broadened because of the dedication of you: their teachers and school communities.
Schools North East in the media spotlight
As much as this summer was about celebrating students, which we were more than delighted to partake in, it was also about making sure the story of the North East was heard loud and clear.
Schools North East was once again the go-to organisation for trusted, authoritative insight on the outcomes and what they mean for our region.
Our Director, Chris Zarraga, brought the voice of the North East into living rooms across the country, appearing live on Sky News to share analysis and commentary. Our insights featured across a wide range of regional and national outlets, including:
- Sky News
- The Guardian
- The Times
- BBC Look North
- ITV News
- Talk TV
- Tes
- Schools Week
- LBC, Global, Times Radio, Capital Radio, Heart, and Smooth
- The Chronicle
- And even the Surrey Comet and Limerick Live in the Republic of Ireland!!
This media presence ensured that the realities facing our schools and young people could not be ignored. While results brought reasons to celebrate, we also highlighted the deeper picture—systemic inequalities that continue to hold back too many students in our region. By doing so, we kept the issue firmly on the national agenda.
Championing our region, together
This dual story—of student achievement and strong advocacy—captures who we are as a region. Our schools nurture success every single day, and as a collective, we ensure those successes and challenges are recognised far beyond the North East.
As the voice, glue, and bridge for all 1,150 schools across the region, Schools North East will continue to champion you, advocate for targeted action, and push for a fairer education system. We will not stop until every child has the same opportunities to succeed, no matter where they live.
For every child, for every school, for the future of our region.