GCSE / Level 2 Results Released Today

Year 11 learners at Bayside and Westside Schools today received their GCSE / Level 2 results, marking the completion of their first public examinations and an important milestone in their education. Across both schools, staff are celebrating the many individual stories of effort, progress and achievement represented by today’s results.

The learners receiving results today form HMGoG’s fourth coeducational Year 11 cohort, with Headteachers proud to share this significant moment with young people and their families.

Headteacher of Bayside School, Gaynor Lester, reflected on the privilege of supporting the cohort throughout this stage of their education: “It has been a privilege to support these young people through such an important stage of their education and to share in the many individual successes being celebrated today. Behind every result is a story of effort, growth and perseverance, supported along the way by dedicated staff and families. I am immensely proud of our students and of all they have achieved, both in their qualifications and throughout the journey that has brought them to this point.”

Headteacher of Westside School, Sonia Lopez, also reflected on the achievements of Westside’s Year 11 cohort and the opportunities ahead: “We are very proud of our Year 11 students and all that they have achieved. Their results reflect a great deal of hard work, resilience and determination, as well as the dedication of the teachers and staff who have supported them throughout their education, and the support of their families. As they now look ahead, I would encourage students and parents to consider the full range of Level 3 opportunities available across the Consortium. A Levels are an excellent route for many, but they are not the only route. Today is about celebrating how far they have come, but also helping them make informed and ambitious choices about where they go next.”

Across England, this year’s GCSE outcomes have remained broadly stable, with a small increase in the proportion of entries achieving the highest grades. Results Day 2026 has also seen the wider rollout of the new Education Record app, giving young people in participating schools digital access to their examination results and, over time, a secure record of their qualifications to support progression into further education, training and employment. The Department of Education has been in contact with UK counterparts to explore whether Gibraltar may be able to participate as the system develops.

Against this wider backdrop, results across Bayside and Westside Schools provide many reasons for celebration. A remarkable 701 grades were achieved at levels 9, 8 and 7 - the highest grades available at GCSE - with 359 secured at Bayside and 342 at Westside.

Across the full range of GCSE and Level 2 courses, legacy letter-grade and vocational outcomes, pupils at the two schools achieved 3457 pass grades out of a possible 3536 representing an overall pass rate of 98%. Each of these outcomes reflects individual effort and progress, and the successful completion of an important stage of learning.

The Gibraltar College also forms an important part of this wider picture, providing young people with opportunities to strengthen their qualification profile and continue building on their education through a range of academic and vocational Level 2 pathways.

Principal of the Gibraltar College, Daniel Benrimoj, reflected on the importance of recognising results within the wider context of each learner’s development: “Grades are an important milestone, but they do not define who you are or what you can achieve. What matters most is continuing to learn, embracing a growth mindset and making the most of every opportunity that comes your way.”

This is the third academic cycle in which the Gibraltar College has exclusively managed the programme enabling young people to enhance their Level 2 and GCSE qualifications before progressing to Level 3 / A Level study or other pathways. The Department of Education is very proud of the learners who have embraced this opportunity. Securing additional qualifications can strengthen their educational foundations, widen the range of options available to them and provide greater choice and flexibility as they consider what comes next.

This year, learners at the Gibraltar College achieved 301 pass grades out of a possible 349, representing an overall pass rate of 86% across GCSE 9-1, legacy A*-G and vocational Distinction*- Pass outcomes.

Reflecting on the College’s wider role in preparing young people for what comes next, Principal Daniel Benrimoj added: “Where opportunities are not immediately available, we want our learners to have the confidence, skills and lifelong learning mindset to help create them for themselves. The future is bright when we are willing to learn, grow and keep moving forward.”

This year also marks the first results for the Cambridge National Level 1/Level 2 in Sport Studies, offered at both secondary schools. The introduction of further vocational provision reflects the Department’s continuing commitment to broadening opportunities and providing pathways through which learners can develop practical skills, explore areas of interest and prepare for future study, training or employment.

Recent UK coverage has also highlighted ongoing discussion around the requirement in England for young people who have not secured the required grades in GCSE English and Maths to continue studying these subjects post-16. Gibraltar operates differently, providing learners with a range of opportunities through which to strengthen their English and Maths qualifications, including alternative pathways such as Functional Skills. This flexibility reflects the Department’s wider commitment to ensuring that young people can access routes that respond to their individual needs, strengths and intended progression.

In reporting today’s outcomes, the Department of Education considers it important to recognise the full range of pass grades - 9-1 and A*-G, alongside vocational Distinction*-Pass outcomes - rather than focusing solely on the traditional A*-C or 9-4 benchmark. Every qualification successfully achieved has value and represents progress in an individual learner’s educational journey.

Examination outcomes are, however, only one part of that journey. Throughout their time in education, young people develop confidence, independence, critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills, alongside many other qualities and competences that will continue to serve them as they move into further education, training, employment and adult life.

Director of Education, Keri Scott, said: “Today is an opportunity to recognise how far every young person has come and to celebrate the effort, growth and determination that have brought them to this point. For many, the results received today will open the door to the pathway they had hoped for; for others, they may mean taking some time to reconsider what comes next. Whatever the outcome, no young person should feel defined by the grades they receive.”

“There are many routes forward, and our schools and Department of Education staff are here to help young people understand the options available to them. I hope every learner takes pride in what they have achieved, draws on the support around them and approaches their next steps with confidence.”

The Director of Education also recognised the contribution of the dedicated professionals who have supported young people throughout this stage of their education: “Results Day rightly places our young people at the centre of the celebration, but behind every learner is a network of people who have encouraged, challenged and supported them along the way. I extend my sincere thanks to our teachers, SNLSAs, school leaders and wider school teams for the skill, commitment and belief they invest in our young people every day. I also warmly acknowledge the parents, carers and families whose support has been so important throughout.”

The Minister for Education, the Hon Prof John Cortes, reflected on the continuing development of educational provision and the many individual achievements being celebrated: “Today’s results reflect the hard work, determination and progress of young people across our schools and the Gibraltar College. Just as importantly, they demonstrate the value of providing different routes through education. By continuing to broaden our academic and vocational offer, we are giving young people more opportunities to build on their individual strengths, interests and aspirations and to prepare for the next stage of their lives.”

“Every young person’s path is different, and every success deserves to be recognised. I warmly congratulate all those receiving results today and thank the teachers, staff and families who have supported them throughout. Whatever comes next, I hope our young people move forward proud of how far they have come and optimistic about the opportunities ahead.”