A-level students ‘need qualified teachers’

The results for England, Wales and Northern Ireland were published today. 26.3% of studends achieved A or A* grades and the overall pass rate rose marginally - to 98.1%.

37% of all 18 year olds in the UK take at least one A level.

IfLchief executive Toni Fazaeli said: “Today’s results bear testament to learners’ incredibly hard work and to the dedication and commitment of their teachers and trainers, who provide a first-rate public service, in spite of the significant challenges they continue to face in the form of endless reform and tightening budgets.

“Great teaching is at the heart of learning success, and IfLbelieves that all teachers and trainers should have teaching qualifications, as well as being expert and qualified in their specialist subject or vocational area.

“There is sound evidence that shows qualified teachers are good teachers, and everyone agrees that learners deserve to have good teachers.

“Teachers’ commitment to continuing professional development (CPD) ensures that, as dual professionals, they stay up to date in their chosen field and in teaching methods.

“ IfLas the professional body supports individual members’ CPD by offering them a wide range of resources, and the space to reflect, learn collaboratively and carry out action research.”

The Joint Council for Qualifications said bology, chemistry and physics continue to be popular, accounting for 17.8% of all subjects.

Economics had the biggest percentage increase in entries, rising 7.4% to 26,139.

The results show that subject choices being made by males and females reinforce existing gender differences.

English entries are dominated by females, who account for 71.8% of total entries. In physics 79.3% of entries were by males.