In Pictures: Youngsters celebrate GCSE results

Teenagers across the UK are celebrating after receiving their GCSE results.

Top grades are down on last year but remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

In 2021, the proportion of GCSE entries awarded top grades surged to an all-time high after exams were cancelled for the second year in a row due to Covid-19 and pupils were given results determined by their teachers.

Similar to the pattern with A-level results, published last week, it had been expected that GCSE grades would drop below last year, but remain above those from 2019 as students returned to sitting exams for the first time in three years.

Shannon Rostam looks surprised by her GCSE results at Rockwood Academy in Alum Rock, Birmingham (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

(Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

Gulam-Mustafaa Aslam receiving his GCSE results (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

Students celebrate after receiving their GCSE results at Roedean School, Brighton (Gareth Fuller/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Gareth Fuller

Maddie Hallam and her parents look delighted with her GCSE results at Norwich School (Joe Giddens/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Joe Giddens

Jonathan Ikazaboh gives a thumbs-up after reading his grades (Joe Giddens/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Joe Giddens

(Joe Giddens/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Joe Giddens

(Gareth Fuller/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Gareth Fuller

Students receiving their GCSE results at Rockwood Academy (Jacob King/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Jacob King

(Gareth Fuller/PA)PA Wire/PA Images - Gareth Fuller