GCSE grades surge after U-turn gives pupils results based on teachers’ estimates

The proportion of GCSE entries in England awarded top grades has surged to a record high after a U-turn meant results could be based on teachers’ estimated grades amid cancelled exams. Hundreds of thousands of youngsters received their GCSE results on Thursday following major changes - but around 200,000 Btec pupils will not get their final results following a last-minute review of grades.