Differences between the sexes 'could be inherent', expert says as girls set to beat boys at GCSE for the 38th year

By ELEANOR HARDING, EDUCATION EDITOR Published: 00:01, 17 August 2026 | Updated: 00:04, 17 August 2026 Differences between the sexes could be 'inherent' as girls are set to beat boys at GCSE for the 38th year, an expert has suggested. Alan Smithers, professor of education at the University of Buckingham, said boys were last year only ahead in maths-based subjects, continuing a long-term trend. He acknowledged that suggesting possible inherent differences between the sexes was a risk in an age of 'cancel culture overdrive'. However, he said he had begun to 'think the unthinkable' due to the gaps in achievement being 'so regular and persistent'. His analysis is based on whole population data, and he has previously pointed out that on an individual level, there will be many male and female students who buck the trends.  The professor also said another explanation for boys being behind could be that we are 'not developing the talents of half the population as fully as we could'. And he said his repeated calls for a Government investigation into boys' underperformance have been met with 'complacency' – perhaps due to the 'fashionable narrative' about men doing better on average once they reach the workplace. Differences between the sexes could be 'inherent' as girls are set to beat boys at GCSE for the 38th year, an expert has suggested (file picture) 'Boys are habitually seen as privileged, and their weaker results at GCSE does not receive the attention it deserves,' he said.  Professor Smithers, who is Buckingham's director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research, said girls have been ahead at GCSE since 1989.  In 2025, the gap between girls and boys at the top grades was at the narrowest since 2000. Nearly a quarter – 24.5 per cent – of girls' GCSE entries were awarded at least a grade 7 or A, compared with almost a fifth of boys' entries – 19.4 per cent, a 5.1 percentage point gap. Broken down by subject, girls were ahead in 40 of 47 subjects, with boys only ahead in maths, statistics, physics, economics, 'other sciences', 'other technology' and maths numeracy. 'Apart from this exception, girls outperform boys by some distance,' Professor Smithers continued. 'Is this because schools are less well adapted to boys' needs and are not developing their talents to the full? This should be investigated and lessons learned. 'I have called for this for a number of years, but without success. 'My first thought was that this was against the vibes of the time when the emphasis is on equality for women. 'Since men generally come out on top in the workplace, why bother. 'More recently I have been thinking the unthinkable in these days when the cancel culture is in overdrive. 'The sex differences in education achievement are so regular and persistent that they could be inherent differences? This should be taken on board in any inquiry.' Professor Smithers also pointed out that girls are ahead of boys in terms of getting straight 9s in seven or more subjects. And more female students now go to university than male, he noted. He said that some of the differences might be explained by assessment processes, and the fact that, on average, girls may be 'more aware of the value of education' and might 'apply themselves more diligently'. However, he warned that failing to make the most of boys' potential could lead to 'a decline in the nation's economic competitiveness' and 'ultimately loss of its standing in the world'. Last week, A-level results showed boys outperformed girls in terms of top grades – which Professor Smithers said was down to no subject being compulsory at this stage.  Professor Smithers' report comes ahead of hundreds of thousands of pupils receiving their GCSE grades on Thursday. Pupils in England are now graded on a scale of 1 to 9, instead of the old alphabet system, with 4 equivalent to C and 7 equivalent to A. Wales and Northern Ireland have kept the old system. Last year, across both sexes, more than a fifth – 21.9 per cent – of UK entries were awarded the top grades – at least a 7 or an A-grade, up from 21.8 per cent in 2024. This was higher than in 2019, the last year before the pandemic, when 20.8 per cent of entries achieved the top grades. Professor Smithers said the proportion of GCSE entries scoring the top grades this year is likely to be similar to last year. His wide-ranging paper also suggested Andy Burnham's proposal of offering high-quality vocational routes at age 14 will require a 'major overhaul'. He said it was a 'very good idea' in theory, but that currently schools lack the expertise and equipment to deliver it. A Department for Education spokesman said: 'We want every young person to have the opportunity to succeed, whatever their gender or background, and wherever they live. 'Although girls do outperform boys at GCSE, boys do better at A-level, and this varies by subject. 'We’re already putting the right support in place to extend ambition for everyone. 'As we set out last week, we are reforming Key Stage 4 to give pupils a genuine choice between academic and technical pathways. 'From September 2028, technical subjects will be available to 14-year-olds, helping build the skilled workforce our economy needs. 'We recognise that delivering high-quality practical education requires the right teachers and facilities, and we will keep working with schools to get this right.'