Gender
Historically, girls have outperformed boys across education phases. However, there is significant variation in the size and trend of the gap by subject, as well as by phase. For example, boys’ attainment in maths is closer to that of girls compared with other subjects, and at the end of primary school boys outperform girls in maths[1]. More information on gaps by subject can be found in our 2023 Annual Report.
Early years foundation stage
The gap among pupils aged 5 is already quite marked: girls were 3.2 months ahead of boys in 2023. The gender gap in 2023 remained similar to 2022 but was 0.3 months larger than pre-pandemic levels. Prior to the pandemic, the gap had fallen by almost one month since the start of our series in 2013.
Figure G1: The gender gap has narrowed since 2019 in key stages 2 and 4, but remains higher for pupils in reception
Primary school
In 2023 the gender gap at the end of primary school narrowed considerably, to just 0.6 months, down from 2.1 months in 2022, and down by almost 2 months since prior to the pandemic. The last time the gap was this small was prior to 2016, before students were assessed on the new, more challenging national curriculum first introduced in 2014. Official statistics suggest that the fall in the key stage 2 gap since 2019 may have been partly due to an increase in the reading attainment of boys (from an average scaled score of 103 to 105), alongside a decrease in the maths attainment of girls (from 105 to 104).[2]
Secondary school
Whilst the gender gap – unlike the gaps for disadvantaged pupils and other vulnerable groups –reduces as children progress through primary school, it widens again during secondary school. In 2023, boys were 4.5 months behind girls averaging across GCSE grades in English and maths. This is down from 5 months in 2022, around 2 months lower than pre-pandemic levels, and is now the smallest gap since our series began in 2011 (when it was 5.6 months). Official data suggests that the reduction in the gap since 2019 is due to both the maths and English attainment of boys rising (respectively a 1.5 and 2.4 percentage point increase in the proportion with a good pass) and the English attainment of girls falling (a 1.3 percentage point decrease).[3]
16-19 education
In 16-19 education, female students achieved around a grade and a half more highly than male students in 2023, across their best three qualifications. This represents a closing of the gap since 2022, following a widening during the pandemic. The gender gap in 16-19 education is now at the narrowest level recorded since our time series began in 2017.
Since 2019, 16-19 attainment increased for both male and female students, but at a slightly greater rate for boys, leading to the narrowing gap. Attainment for both males and females has decreased in 2023, compared to the increased grades awarded during the pandemic and in 2022.
Figure G2: The 16-19 gender gap narrowed in 2023 to the lowest level recorded in our timeseries
[1] Department for Education, ‘Key Stage 2 attainment, Academic Year 2022/23’
[2] Department for Education, ‘Key Stage 2 attainment, Academic Year 2022/23’
[3] Department for Education, ‘Key Stage 4 performance, Academic Year 2022/23’
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY geographic disadvantage gaps