Letter:Better A-level results since schools banished fear from the classroom

Sir: One important point has been overlooked in the debate about improved A-level results: since the introduction of league tables schools and colleges are increasingly reluctant to enter those candidates who are uncertain of achieving a pass grade. I recently spoke to nine examiners and, without exception, they observed that this year there was not the "tail" of very weak candidates.

Of the nine, eight also felt that there was an improvement in the overall quality of scripts and put this down to the fact that students were better prepared to meet the demands of the paper.

JANET PYBON

Preston, Lancashire