A surge in top A-level grades was 50% higher among private school pupils, while attainment gaps widened for Black and poorer students.
Data from exams regulator Ofqual revealed the gulf in achievement in today's record-breaking exam results amid concerns about the continued impact of the pandemic on disadvantaged pupils.
Record numbers of students achieved A* or A grades this year, as more than two in five (44.8%) got top marks, up from 38.5% last year.
Private schools saw a 9.3 percentage point increase in pupils achieving A or above compared to last year, with 70.1% of students getting the top grades.
But only 39.3% of comprehensive pupils were awarded A* or A grades - a 6.2 percentage point increase on the previous year.
This means private schools saw a 50% higher increase in top grades compared to state schools, according to Labour.
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Some 41.9% students at academies got top grades - a 5.7 percentage point increase - and 35.3% in Sixth Forms, up 3.8 percentage points on 2020.
Ofqual also revealed how the pandemic had deepened inequalities for Black pupils, children receiving free school meals, and students from deprived backgrounds between 2019 and 2021.
It's report said: "The longstanding gaps indicating lower outcomes of Black candidates, FSM candidates, and candidates with a very high level of deprivation relative to their respective reference group, have widened by 1.43, 1.42 and 1.39 percentage points respectively."
Girls outperformed boys at the top level, with 46.9% getting an A grade or higher, compared to 42.1% among boys.
Labour accused the Government "chaotic last-minute decision making" which piled further pressure on struggling schools.
Shadow Education Secretary Kate Green said: " Labour congratulates all students receiving their grades today and thanks the incredible education staff who worked tirelessly to award these results.
“Yet the Conservatives’ chaotic last-minute decision making has opened the door to unfairness.
"The increase in A grades is 50 per cent higher among private schools, while Black students, students on free school meals and in areas of high deprivation are being increasingly out performed by their more advantaged peers.
“The Government’s measly recovery plan will see half a million students leave school this summer without any support to recover lost learning or boost their wellbeing.”
Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chair of social mobility charity the Sutton Trust, also raised concern about the impact of Covid disruption on state schools in less affluent areas.
He said: "The pandemic has compounded existing inequalities and today’s results are a reflection of that. We're seeing growing gaps between independent and state schools at the top grades.
"This poses an immediate challenge for university admissions. While it’s encouraging to see more students from less affluent areas going to university this year, it’s of real concern that the gap between those from less affluent areas and those from well-off areas has grown.
"Given that disrupted learning has affected lower income youngsters more, we urge universities to give additional consideration to disadvantaged students."
Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, who claimed he couldn't remember his own results, said students should be proud of their achievements after the disruption of the pandemic.
And he hailed the number of disadvantaged pupils going to university, with an 11% increase on last year.
He said: “The results are testament to young people’s hard work and resilience alongside the commitment and expertise of their teachers.
“It’s fantastic to see a record number of disadvantaged students going to university.
"While there has been an increase in the number of top grades awarded, young people and their families can be confident grades carry the same weight as any other year and will allow them to progress to the next stage of education or work."
