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A-level pass rate and A grades up A-level pass rate and A grades up
(about 1 hour later)
There has been another increase in the A-level pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded the top A grade.There has been another increase in the A-level pass rate and the proportion of entries awarded the top A grade.
Figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications show 97.2% of entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland passed, up from 96.9%.Figures from the Joint Council for Qualifications show 97.2% of entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland passed, up from 96.9%.
A grades went to 25.9% of the entries, up from 25.3% - and in Northern Ireland more than a third achieved an A.A grades went to 25.9% of the entries, up from 25.3% - and in Northern Ireland more than a third achieved an A.
As the results were announced, the government explained how it was making A-levels more challenging in future. The results reveal striking differences in achievement across England, with south-east England getting the most As.
Following successful pilots of the changes, the tougher A-levels will be available to all from this September. There, 29.1% of entries were awarded an A grade - an increase of 6.1 percentage points since 2002.
The lowest proportion of A grades were achieved in the north-east of England (19.8% of entries) - an increase of 2.1 percentage points since 2002, which was also the lowest rate of improvement across the regions.
There were a record 827,737 A-level entries and 1.13 million AS-levels this year from more than 600,000 students.There were a record 827,737 A-level entries and 1.13 million AS-levels this year from more than 600,000 students.
A-LEVEL RESULTS 2008 Pass rate / Grade AUK: 97.2% / 25.9%Northern Ireland: 98.2% / 35.4%England: 97.2% / 25.6%Wales: 97.1% / 24.1% Source: JCQA-LEVEL RESULTS 2008 Pass rate / Grade AUK: 97.2% / 25.9%Northern Ireland: 98.2% / 35.4%England: 97.2% / 25.6%Wales: 97.1% / 24.1% Source: JCQ
Entries for maths rose 7.5% from last year, to 65,239 - while further maths was up 15.5%, to only 9,483 entries.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%.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%).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.Other languages, including Arabic, Chinese and Russian, have shown steady increases in entry every year since 2002.
'Celebration''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.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.""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.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.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."Dr Sinclair added: "This has to be a day for celebration."
National breakdownNational breakdown
As usual Northern Ireland students outperformed those elsewhere, with 98.2% of entries passing and 35.4% awarded A grades.As usual Northern Ireland students outperformed those elsewhere, with 98.2% of entries passing and 35.4% awarded A grades.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
In England 97.2% passed with 25.6 awarded A. In Wales, 97.1% passed and 24.1% achieved an A.In England 97.2% passed with 25.6 awarded A. In Wales, 97.1% passed and 24.1% achieved an A.
Schools Minister Jim Knight said: "I heartily congratulate all students who have successfully completed their A-levels and thank teachers for their hard work.
"This year's results are a tremendous tribute to all the effort that has gone into achieving these qualifications by students, supported by parents and teachers. They also show a good return on a decade of record investment and policies which have encouraged more young people to continue and achieve in education.
"More pupils are now passing Maths A-level than at any time in over a decade. It's crucial for society that we have talented mathematicians and maths is essential for science and innovation."
As the results were announced, the government explained how it was making A-levels more challenging in future. English regions - entries awarded grade A South East - 29.1% London - 28.3%South West - 27.2%East - 26.2%West Midlands - 23.4%North West - 23%Yorks and Humber - 22.3%North East - 19.8% Following successful pilots of the changes, tougher A-levels will be available to all from this September.
Some students have been awarded a new qualification as part of a pilot aimed at stretching the brightest.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.
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.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.
'Hard work''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.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.
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."
Principal and head teacher discuss the difficulty of examsPrincipal and head teacher discuss the difficulty of exams
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 areas
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%.
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.
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.
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.
"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."
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%.
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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