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A-level results expected to rise A-level pass rate and A grades up
(21 minutes later)
More than 600,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are learning their A-level and AS-level exam grades. There has been another increase in the A-level pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded the top A grade.
The pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded A grades are expected to have risen for the 26th year. Figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications show 97.2% of entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland passed, up from 96.9%.
University applications body Ucas said the "inevitable" claims about exam standards should not be allowed to detract from the hard work of students. A grades went to 25.9% of the entries, up from 25.3% - and in Northern Ireland more than a third achieved an A.
Some students will be awarded a new qualification as part of a pilot aimed at stretching the brightest. As the results were announced, the government explained how it was making A-levels more challenging in future.
Following successful pilots of the changes, the tougher A-levels will be available to all from this September.
There were a record 827,737 A-level entries and 1.13 million AS-levels this year from more than 600,000 students.
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Entries for maths rose 7.5% from last year, to 65,239 - while further maths was up 15.5%, to only 9,483 entries.
Among the subjects showing increases were the sciences with entries for chemistry up 3.5%, biology up 2.7% and physics up 2.3%.
Some languages show an improvement with increases in French of 2.8% and Spanish (1.5%) but a decrease in German (0.9%).
Other languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Russian, have shown steady increases in entry every year since 2002.
'Celebration'
Jim Sinclair, the director of the joint council, which represents the main exam boards, said: "These results are excellent and we congratulate all students on their achievement.
"The results show not only an improvement in the grades achieved but also an increased entry for maths, sciences and languages which are positive and encouraging developments all round."
There has been a concerted effort to increase the numbers of young people pursuing the so-called "Stem" subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths) to raise UK skill levels and global competitiveness.
Only this week the Confederation of British Industry called for more to be done.
Dr Sinclair added: "This has to be a day for celebration."
National breakdown
As usual Northern Ireland students outperformed those elsewhere, with 98.2% of entries passing and 35.4% awarded A grades.
In England 97.2% passed with 25.6 awarded A. In Wales, 97.1% passed and 24.1% achieved an A.
Some students have been awarded a new qualification as part of a pilot aimed at stretching the brightest.
The "extended project" is worth the equivalent of half an A-level and more than 1,400 students have been involved in a pilot with exam boards.The "extended project" is worth the equivalent of half an A-level and more than 1,400 students have been involved in a pilot with exam boards.
From this September, the qualification will be open to sixth-formers and college students generally.From this September, the qualification will be open to sixth-formers and college students generally.
Rising pass rate It will also be a mandatory element in the new Diplomas, which begin being taught in five subjects in England this autumn, to about 20,200 pupils aged 14 to 19.
And students starting A-level courses in September will become the first to be eligible for the new A* grade when they are awarded to those attaining more than 90% in 2010. 'Hard work'
And students starting A-level courses in September will become the first to be eligible for the new A* grade when they are awarded to those attaining more than 90% in 2010. The first pilot versions have been awarded this summer.
The change followed criticism that the rise in the number of A grades at A-level meant universities could no longer spot the brightest students.The change followed criticism that the rise in the number of A grades at A-level meant universities could no longer spot the brightest students.
Last year, 25.3% of A-level entries in the UK were awarded an A grade, with 96.9% of entries graded from A to E (pass).
Anthony McClaran, chief executive of Ucas, the body which handles undergraduate applications to UK universities, said: "As with every year, some people will inevitably claim that A-levels are getting easier but we shouldn't really take away from the hard work of those students who have done well in their results today.Anthony McClaran, chief executive of Ucas, the body which handles undergraduate applications to UK universities, said: "As with every year, some people will inevitably claim that A-levels are getting easier but we shouldn't really take away from the hard work of those students who have done well in their results today.
"It is difficult to compare the A-levels of today with those of 40 years ago as the world is quite a different place."It is difficult to compare the A-levels of today with those of 40 years ago as the world is quite a different place.
"Many world records are being broken at the Olympics but that doesn't make the feat easier or the distances shorter.""Many world records are being broken at the Olympics but that doesn't make the feat easier or the distances shorter."
Chris Keates, general secretary of the NASUWT teachers' union, said it expected the results to show the same year on year overall progress which had been the hallmark of recent years. Principal and head teacher discuss the difficulty of exams
"No doubt the annual debate will surface once again about whether the exams are too easy or have been 'dumbed down' or whether the education system is failing," she said.
Melvyn Roffe, Principal of Wymondham College, Norfolk, and Steven Poole, Headteacher of Hinchley Wood School, Surrey, debate the issues.
"None of this, however, should be allowed to detract or distract from the years of hard work pupils and teachers have invested in preparing for these examinations."
The results statistics released on Thursday relate to exam entries, not students. The school-by-school breakdown - the "league tables" - is due to be published in January.The results statistics released on Thursday relate to exam entries, not students. The school-by-school breakdown - the "league tables" - is due to be published in January.
Deprived areasDeprived areas
Meanwhile, the Conservatives have highlighted wide differences in the numbers of students taking A-levels across England.Meanwhile, the Conservatives have highlighted wide differences in the numbers of students taking A-levels across England.
In some deprived areas, they said, only one in eight GCSE students goes on to study A-levels - well below the national average of 44%.In some deprived areas, they said, only one in eight GCSE students goes on to study A-levels - well below the national average of 44%.
They analysed 2007 A-level entries and 2005 GCSE entries by local authority.They analysed 2007 A-level entries and 2005 GCSE entries by local authority.
In 11 local authorities, under a quarter of children sat A-levels, while in Rochdale, Knowsley and Sandwell, the figure was one in eight or lower.In 11 local authorities, under a quarter of children sat A-levels, while in Rochdale, Knowsley and Sandwell, the figure was one in eight or lower.
Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "People will be shocked to see that there are areas of the country where fewer than one in eight children sit A-levels. As ever, it is the poorest areas that are worst affected."Shadow Schools Minister Nick Gibb said: "People will be shocked to see that there are areas of the country where fewer than one in eight children sit A-levels. As ever, it is the poorest areas that are worst affected."
The Westminster government seized on caveats which the Tories acknowledged in the way the figures were compiled.The Westminster government seized on caveats which the Tories acknowledged in the way the figures were compiled.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "This back-of-a-fag-packet maths adds nothing to the picture on A-levels and completely ignores the fact that many youngsters travel between boroughs to do their A-levels, do other qualifications or work-based training or apprenticeships.Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "This back-of-a-fag-packet maths adds nothing to the picture on A-levels and completely ignores the fact that many youngsters travel between boroughs to do their A-levels, do other qualifications or work-based training or apprenticeships.
"For example, according to these flawed figures, Kensington and Chelsea apparently has 193% of their pupils studying A-levels. All this shows is that some boroughs have lots of pupils travelling to do their A-levels, which is very common."For example, according to these flawed figures, Kensington and Chelsea apparently has 193% of their pupils studying A-levels. All this shows is that some boroughs have lots of pupils travelling to do their A-levels, which is very common.
"The fact is more young people are staying on in education than ever before."The fact is more young people are staying on in education than ever before.
"Rather than painting a picture of doom and gloom, the Tories should be preparing to congratulate pupils on their hard work.""Rather than painting a picture of doom and gloom, the Tories should be preparing to congratulate pupils on their hard work."
A similar methodology is however used in official school performance statistics in Scotland.A similar methodology is however used in official school performance statistics in Scotland.
The figure for pupils achieving Highers in S5 is given not as a proportion of those who attempted them but of those who originally began the fourth year - resulting in some cases in achievement rates of more than 100%.The figure for pupils achieving Highers in S5 is given not as a proportion of those who attempted them but of those who originally began the fourth year - resulting in some cases in achievement rates of more than 100%.
Are you getting your results today? Have you been involved in an "extended project"? Do you work with A-level students? Are you a mature student expecting your results?
Are you getting your results today? Have you been involved in an "extended project"? Do you work with A-level students? Are you a mature student expecting your results?
Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.Send your comments using the post form below, or text 61124.
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