LOCAL MPs and councillors have praised Barnsley’s youngsters following GCSE results day yesterday after it was revealed pupils across the town improved ‘across all measures’.

Residents will have fond memories of their own results day when they were 16 whether it was O Levels or the more modern GCSEs but a lot has changed in recent years.

Pupils no longer receive letter grades and instead are rated via numbers.

Grade nine is the highest, with a grade seven and above broadly equivalent to the old A and A* grades.

A grade four is considered a standard pass, while a grade five is a strong pass.

The system, which came into force in 2017, aims to provide more differentiation, particularly among higher-achieving students.

And pupils this year have excelled with improvements across all measures in comparison with last year.

In total, 67.2 per cent of Barnsley’s 2,416 pupils who sat their GCSE exams at mainstream schools achieved a grade four or above in English or maths.

This was an eight per cent increase from last year’s figures.

A total of 47.2 per cent of youngsters also achieved a grade five or above in both subjects, an increase of six per cent.

Last week, students across Barnsley have also received their A-level results with a fantastic 97.9 per cent pass rate in the borough.

While there has been a slight decrease compared to last year’s results, the pass rate in Barnsley continued to be higher than national average.

The percentage of students in Barnsley achieving a grade A or A* has slightly decreased from 19.8 per cent last year to 19.1 per cent this year.

Coun Ashley Peace, cabinet support member for children’s services, told the Chronicle: “Congratulations to all our GCSE and A-level students on their outstanding results.

“These achievements are a testament to their dedication, resilience, and the unwavering support from our incredible teachers, school support staff, parents and carers.

“It’s wonderful to see that the A-level pass rate in Barnsley remains higher than the national average, and you should be proud of your remarkable results.

“It’s also great to see improved performances across all the GCSE measures compared to 2024 - it’s clear that the hard work and commitment of the students has paid off.

“For those who didn’t receive the grades they were hoping for, please remember that there are many options and plenty of support available if you are uncertain about your next steps, including the/ National Careers Service that can be contacted on 0800 100 900.”

All three of Barnsley’s MPs have offered their support to those who received their grades.

Barnsley North MP Dan Jarvis said: “I know it’s a nerve-racking time, and I hope the results you get reflect all your hard work.

“If you get the results you want congratulations, go celebrate.

“If things haven’t gone to plan, remember that today might be a milestone, but it’s certainly not the finish line.

“Talk to your teachers, family and friends.

“There will be alternative options.

“What the day has brought, I wish you the very best for whatever comes next.

“Keep going and keep growing.”

Penistone and Stocksbridge MP Marie Tidball added: “A huge well done to everyone in Penistone receiving their GCSE results.

“You’ve shown a real effort and resilience to reach this milestone, and you should be proud of what you’ve achieved.

“A big thank you also goes to teachers, support staff and families who have guided and encouraged young people throughout their journey.”

Barnsley South MP Stephanie Peacock also praised youngsters across her constituency and added: “You should all be really proud of all the work you’ve done to get to this point, and I wish you all the best for your next steps.”