A-level results day: Boris Johnson insists results are ‘robust’ despite nearly 40% of marks downgraded with biggest reductions among disadvantaged students
Concerns over use of mock results spark backlash from teachers, students and ministers
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Hundreds of thousands of school leavers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their A-level results, as ministers face pressure over a last-minute change to allow students to choose their mock exam results if they are unhappy with their grades.
Exams this summer were cancelled due to the pandemic and students will receive estimated grades to help them progress into university, work or training.
But the use of mock grades has drawn criticism from teachers, students and ministers, who warned the change contained “massive inconsistencies” and “beggars belief”.
Labour leader Keir Starmer hit out at the eleventh hour changes, calling it “shambolic”.
“This is a complete fiasco. It was obvious this was going to be difficult but it’s been weeks or months in the coming,” he said, noting the fallout last week in Scotland where grades were downgraded for students from more deprived areas.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson has insisted the system is fair and “robust”.
Students struggle to log into Ucas
Ucas appears to be down as students report frustrations at trying to log in to check their results, as the organisation pleads with students to be "patient".
Andrew Griffin reports:
Thousands of A-level results downgraded
Sixth form students receive their A-Level results at The Crossley Heath Grammar School in Halifax (Reuters)
Despite record-high results, thousands of pupils have had their A-level results downgraded after this year’s exams were cancelled because of the pandemic.
Figures for England, Wales and Northern Ireland show the proportion for A-level entries awarded an A grade or higher has risen to a record high, with 27.9 per cent securing top grades this year.
But exam boards downgraded nearly two in five (39.1 per cent) pupils’ grades in England, according to data from OFQUAL. That amounts to around 280,000 entries being adjusted down after moderation.
In England, a total of 35.6 per cent of grades were adjusted down by one grade, 3.3 per cent were brought down by two grades, and 0.2 per cent came down by three grades.
But the overall proportion of entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that were awarded the top A* grade surged to 9 per cent, the highest proportion since the top grade was introduced in 2010.
Reporting by PA
Confusion around results continues
Some students have received grades lower than their mock exam results, sparking more confusion and anger around the already-fraught issue.
It comes amid criticism of the system, which was put in place as summer exams were cancelled due to the pandemic.
Gavin Williamson admits bright pupils risk being penalised
The education secretary has admitted high-performing students from low-performing schools are at risk of being penalised as fears over A-level results “fiasco” grow.
Mr Williamson told LBC there was a “danger” of bright pupils in such schools not getting “the grades they want to” and exam boards have been asked to contact schools in such situations to make sure appeals are made.
Our Whitehall editor Kate Devlin reports:
Labour condemns downgrading of A-level results as ‘huge injustice’
Following news that thousands of students had their results downgraded, Labour’s shadow education secretary has called on the government to “correct the injustice” faced by pupils today.
Kate Green said in a statement: “Today is always an anxious day for pupils and parents across the country. That anxiety is far worse this year because of the fiasco caused by the Conservative Government.
"I wholeheartedly congratulate those young people who have received the grades they deserve after working so hard. But across the country, many young people will be opening their results today to find grades which undermine their work and their potential. It is a huge injustice that pupils will see their results downgraded just because of their postcode.
“We will look at the breakdown of the results, but it is clear the government’s approach to exams has been chaotic.
“Ministers must act urgently to correct the injustice faced by so many young people today. Students must be able to lodge their own appeals if they haven't got the grade they deserved and admissions teams must be forced to be more flexible. No student should see their dreams slip away because of this government's inaction."
How to secure a place in university on A-level results day
If you have missed out on the grades needed for a course you chose before today, or you have changed your mind, our guide on navigating Clearing will help you.
Liam James tells you everything you need to know about Clearing:
Wales: Education minister sends message to students
Sophie Long collects her results in Cross Keys, Wales, and has been offered a place at Cambridge University studying English
Kirsty Williams, education minister in Wales, has sent students collecting their A-level, Welsh Bacc and vocational qualification grades today her best wishes.
She said: “Due to the many changes we've had to make this year in exceptional circumstances, you've had to make many sacrifices.
"But you have every reason to be proud of all the work you've done, which will serve you well, and proud of the determination you have shown to overcome this challenging time.
"As announced yesterday, we have guaranteed that a learner's final A-level grade cannot be lower than their AS grade.
"Students in Wales, and prospective employers and universities across the UK, can be assured that their A-level grades reflect their work and externally assessed exams.
"I hope you get the grades you'd hoped for, and you can continue with your educational journey in the autumn.
"Although many of you will be pleased with your results and excited for your next step, if you didn't get what you'd hoped, there's plenty of options and advice on Working Wales.
"Best of luck, and best wishes for the future."
A-level pass rates by region
Here is the A-level pass rate (students receiving A*-E grades) broken down by nation and region.
The figure in brackets is the change in percentage points on 2019
- England 98.2% (up 0.7)
- Wales 98.6% (up 1.0)
- Northern Ireland 99.1% (up 0.8)
- North-east England 98.7% (up 0.4)
- North-west England 98.4% (up 0.4)
- Yorkshire & the Humber 98.4% (up 0.6)
- West Midlands 97.8% (up 0.7)
- East Midlands 98.2% (up 0.7)
- Eastern England 98.3% (up 0.7)
- South-west England 98.4% (up 0.7)
- South-east England 98.4% (up 0.6)
- London 98.0% (up 1.1)
- All 98.3% (up 0.7)
Here are the rates for students receiving the top grades (A* and A):
- England 27.6% (up 2.4)
- Wales 29.9% (up 2.9)
- Northern Ireland 33.2% (up 2.3)
- North-east England 24.9% (up 1.9)
- North-west England 25.3% (up 1.7)
- Yorkshire & the Humber 25.4% (up 2.2)
- West Midlands 24.2% (up 2.2)
- East Midlands 24.4% (up 3.4)
- Eastern England 28.0% (up 2.3)
- South-west England 28.6% (up 2.8)
- South-east England 30.7% (up 2.4)
- London 29.8% (up 2.9)
- All 27.9% (up 2.4)
PA
Iraqi refugee receives top results for A-levels, scores place in Cambridge to study Medicine
Buraq and his grandmother, Saadiyah Khattab, opening his results in Cardiff
Buraq Ahmed, an Iraqi refugee who lives with congenital hip dysplasia, has beaten all the odds and secured a place at Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, to study Medicine after receiving his A-level results today.
Ahmed achieved multiple A* in Biology, Chemistry, Economics, and Maths, said Cardiff Sixth Form College, where he was awarded a scholarship after his GCSE.
He arrived in the UK at the age of three after his parents sold their home to finance his journey here, in order to get medical services for his condition.
Since then, he has undergone nine surgeries and is on daily medication to manage extreme pain. Last August, he had his right hip replaced and is now waiting for a left hip replacement, which has been put on hold due to the pandemic.
Ahmed said: “I have absolutely loved my time at Cardiff Sixth Form College. There are some really amazing students here from all over the world who are not only bright but have so many other talents in music, sport and art.
“I have made lifelong friends, met people with similar interests, been allowed to develop projects and received enormous support from the teaching, careers and admin staff. It is a brilliant community and I will certainly be coming back to help other students going forward - I am really grateful to them for everything they have helped me achieve.”
‘Something has gone horribly wrong’: Keir Starmer calls on government to rethink A-level results system
Labour leader Keir Starmer has said ‘nothing should be ruled out’ to address downgrading of A-level results, including a U-turn similar to the one performed by the Scottish government last week.
It comes after it was revealed nearly 40 per cent of results were marked down, amounting to thousands of students who were rejected from the university courses they chose.
Mr Starmer said on Twitter: “Something had obviously gone horribly wrong with this year’s exam results.
“Parents, teachers and young people are rightly upset, frustrated and angry about this injustice. The system has fundamentally failed them.
“The Government needs to urgently rethink. We need to guarantee the right to individual appeals, the fee for appeals to be waived and nothing to be ruled out, including the U-turn that was forced on the Scottish Government last week.”
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