Recent exam results showcase steady improvement for children and young people across the borough of Rochdale after GCSE and A Level grades were released.
At A Level, the number of local students scoring the top grades of A and A* continues to rise (26 per cent) with the borough’s gap on the national average (27.7 per cent) shortening even further.
Similarly, the proportion of students achieving any A Level grade (A*–E) remains consistently high at 99 per cent, as the total number of young people achieving 3 or more A Levels rose to 752 – making it the highest ever figure for the local area.
Among those successfully completing their college exams were 5 care experienced young people, who between them accomplished a grade B or above in 71.4% of their exams, with the majority now preparing to begin their university journeys ahead of potential careers in chemical engineering and graphic design amongst other subjects.
When it comes to GCSEs, the proportion of local students attaining a Grade 5 —the benchmark for a "strong pass"— also increased in both English and maths.
In English, the Grade 5 to 9 pass rate rose from 50.6% in 2024 to 51.8 per cent in 2025, while mathematics increased from 43 per cent in 2024 to 43.1% in 2025.
This was also a year of significant progress in our young people’s efforts to learn a new language, as local schools saw a 12.1 per cent increase in the number of students achieving a grade 4 to 9 in languages such as French, Italian and Spanish.
Councillor Rachel Massey (pictured left); joins students Eden (second from left); Gabe (centre); and Allesha (second from right) at Matthew Moss High School on GCSE Results Day.
A total of 50 cared for young people completed their GCSE examinations this year, with 56 per cent achieving a minimum of 5 passes at Level 9–1.
Councillor Rachel Massey, portfolio holder for children’s services and education, said:
“We are extremely proud of what our children and young people have achieved and these results are a testament to their hard work, resilience and determination.
“We are especially proud of those who have overcome personal challenges to achieve such success, including our cared for young people and our Year 11s who were the first to move from primary to secondary school during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’d also like to acknowledge the huge amount of work and support provided by our schools, colleges, parents, carers and our staff in children’s services, as they have all played an important role in this success.
“I wish every student the very best of luck in whatever path they pursue next. I trust they will all continue to grow and make our borough immensely proud and themselves.”
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