Exams and Results

Key Examinations dates

See below key dates for External and Pre-Public examinations (mock exams) for the 2025-2026 academic year:

* Please note that there are contingency days throughout the Summer Series, should any exams need to be re-scheduled. Students and Parents/Carers are therefore advised to consider these as exam dates when making arrangements and ensure students are available until 24/06/2026 should these contingency dates be needed.

In addition to examinations, there will also be set tasks running for vocational subjects throughout the year. Dates will be communicated to students at the relevant times.

Information for Candidates

Candidates and parents/carers should familiarise themselves with the below ‘information for candidates’ documents as they contain some key information, regulations and guidance which candidates should be aware of: 

Information for candidates – coursework – 2024 – 2025

Information for candidates – non examination assessments 2024 – 2025

Information for candidates - use of AI in assessments (Summary)

Information for candidates – on-screen tests 2024 – 2025

Information for candidates – written exams 2024 – 2025

Information for Candidates – social media 2024

Information for Candidates – Privacy Notice

Summer 2026 Results Day

This year’s Summer 2026 results are released on:

A Level & Level 3 Vocational Results Day: 13th August 2026

GCSE & Level 1/2 Vocational Results Day: 20th August 2026

Details about timing for this day and how to collect results will be shared with students and parents/carers closer to the time.

If students are unable to attend the Academy on these dates, they should contact the Exams Team to discuss alternative ways to receive their results.

Ofqual’s Student Guide 2025 also provides information about what happens after exams have been taken, which candidates may find helpful to refer to this link.

Collecting Qualification Certificates

If you left the Academy in 2024 or earlier, your certificates are now ready to be collected. We can only keep them for a limited time before we must destroy them, so please do not delay and collect these as soon as possible!

Collection will be available from Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 15:30, during term time. Please phone in advance to let the Exams Team know that you are planning to collect your certificates, so that they are ready when you arrive at school. Collection during the Academy holiday may be possible if you contact the Exams Team in advance.

When arranging collection, please note:

• Certificates must be collected in person from the Academy’s main reception.  
• If you wish someone to collect certificates on your behalf, they will need a signed letter of authorisation directly from the candidate named on the certificates. This letter must include: 
  • the candidate’s name and date of birth.
  • the year(s) the candidate took exams.
  • the name of the person collecting the certificates.
  • written confirmation that the above person has consent to collect the certificates; and
  • the signature of the candidate named on the certificates.

• Anyone collecting certificates must bring ID to prove who they are. 

Don’t wait until it’s too late! We get calls every year from students that left 5-10 years ago who suddenly need their certificates for the first time. It costs around £40-£50 per exam board for a certified statement of results if you don’t have your certificates (see https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate for further information).

Lost Qualification Certificates?

If you have lost your certificates, we may be able to provide a statement of results. If you attended Darlaston Comprehensive we do not hold these records. For certified proof of results please follow this link for advice: https://www.gov.uk/replacement-exam-certificate

Please keep your certificates safely – you will need them throughout your career.

Results 2025

Key Stage 4 (Provisional)

Progress 8 Score: Not available *

Grade 5 or above in English & Maths GCSE: 29.1%

Attainment 8 Score: 41.1

Staying in education or entering employment: 89% **

Percentage of pupils entered for English Baccalaureate: 5.2%

English Baccalaureate Average Point Score: 3.35

* The DfE are not able to calculate Progress 8 scores for academic years 2024/25 and 2025/26. This is because there is no KS2 assessment data available to calculate the baseline for Progress 8 for these years due to Covid-19 disruption.

**For destinations, only 2023 leavers are available at present, please go to https://www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk/school/135956/grace-academy-darlaston

Key Stage 5 (not yet available)

Average Grade (A Level qualifications): Not available *

Average Grade (Vocational qualifications): Not available *

Average Points (A Level qualifications): Not available *

Average Points (Vocational qualifications): Not available *

Retention to the end of course (A Level qualifications): Not available *

Retention to the end of course (Vocational qualifications): Not available *

• Key Stage 5 published results are not yet available. Performance data is expected in February 2026.

Compare School Performance Service