What do young people actually do after GCSEs?
Most pupils leaving mainstream state-funded schools after Key Stage 4 move into a sustained education, apprenticeship or employment destination. The latest DfE measure is 91.6%.
| Sustained destination | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Education | 85.8% |
| Apprenticeship | 3.3% |
| Employment | 2.5% |
| Overall | 91.6% |
DfE Key stage 4 destination measures — England — state-funded mainstream schools — 2022/23 leavers followed through 2023/24.
Why is the data not about this year’s Year 11?
Because DfE measures sustained activity rather than results-day plans. It needs enough time to see whether a young person actually remains in a destination.
What counts as education?
The education category can include school sixth forms, sixth-form colleges, further-education colleges and other recognised settings.
What does disadvantage show?
| Group | Sustained destination |
|---|---|
| Disadvantaged pupils | 83.2% |
| All other pupils | 94.6% |
| Difference | 11.4 percentage points |
DfE Key stage 4 destination measures — England — 2022/23 leavers followed through 2023/24.
That is a large association. It is not evidence of one simple cause, and the release does not establish why the gap exists.
What about English and maths attainment?
Pupils achieving grade 4 or above in English and maths were more likely to sustain a destination, particularly an education destination. Again, that is an association in the data rather than proof of a single causal mechanism.
What about alternative provision?
The latest release reports a sustained destination for 59.4% of pupils from alternative provision, compared with 91.6% for mainstream state-funded schools. This is a major difference and should be interpreted with the very different characteristics and circumstances of the two populations in mind.
The Explorer covers participation in education and apprenticeships at every age from 16 to 21, from a separate DfE series.
Related explainers
Looking for advice about your own next step?
These pages explain the national system and the public data. For personal next-step guidance, use our Exam Results Explained guides.