diff --git a/.upgradenotes/MDL-85115-2025041101300359.yml b/.upgradenotes/MDL-85115-2025041101300359.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000000..776457cf741
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.upgradenotes/MDL-85115-2025041101300359.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+issueNumber: MDL-85115
+notes:
+  core_grades:
+    - message: >
+        The `grade_object::fetch_all_helper()` now accepts a new `$sort`
+        parameter with a default value is `id ASC` to sort the grade instances
+      type: changed
diff --git a/lib/grade/grade_object.php b/lib/grade/grade_object.php
index a3ba70df7e4..7e34a7f03fc 100644
--- a/lib/grade/grade_object.php
+++ b/lib/grade/grade_object.php
@@ -174,9 +174,10 @@ abstract class grade_object {
      * @param string $table The table to retrieve from
      * @param string $classname The name of the class to instantiate
      * @param array $params An array of conditions like $fieldname => $fieldvalue
-     * @return array|bool Array of object instances or false if not found
+     * @param string $sortby The SQL sort order. E.g. 'id ASC'
+     * @return array|bool Array of object instances (sorted by $sortby) or false if not found
      */
-    public static function fetch_all_helper($table, $classname, $params) {
+    public static function fetch_all_helper($table, $classname, $params, string $sortby = 'id ASC') {
         global $DB; // Need to introspect DB here.
 
         $instance = new $classname();
@@ -217,7 +218,7 @@ abstract class grade_object {
         }
 
         global $DB;
-        $rs = $DB->get_recordset_select($table, $wheresql, $newparams);
+        $rs = $DB->get_recordset_select($table, $wheresql, $newparams, $sortby);
         //returning false rather than empty array if nothing found
         if (!$rs->valid()) {
             $rs->close();