A-level success despite ‘savage cuts’

Around 300,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland got their results this morning. 26% of papers got an A grade, down 0.3% on last year. There was also a small decline in the number of pass grades.

Chris Keates, General Secretary of the NASUWT, congratulated teachers and students on “yet another excellent set of results”.

“It is clear that standards have been maintained across the board and credit for that must go to teachers who have, yet again, pulled out all the stops to ensure that young people are supported to achieve their best,” she said.

“They have achieved these results against a backdrop of savage cuts to pay and funding and attacks on their professionalism and working conditions.

“In addition, they have been preparing for reforms to the curriculum and qualifications that have been rushed through at breakneck speed.”

Keates added:

“The Coalition Government’s reforms to the education system, including those currently planned for A-levels, threaten to further narrow the options and opportunities for students, with young people from disadvantaged backgrounds likely to be hit hardest.

“As we celebrate the achievements of today’s students, the Coalition Government must act to ensure that future generations have the opportunity to make the fullest use of their skills and talents.”

Labour is expected to say it would stop A-level reforms and the abolition of AS-levels if it is elected in May.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan MP said today:

“Schools and colleges are already preparing for these changes and so we should let them get on with that. It's wrong to put those changes at further risk and to create further uncertainty."