A-level results have broken records this year with almost half of entries in the UK being awarded top grades and more than 80% gaining grades C or above.
In England, 44% of entries gained A* and A grades compared with 38.1% in 2020 and 25% in 2019. In Wales the proportion of entries gaining top grades was 48% – up from 42% – and in Northern Ireland 51%.
Universities [are] reaping the benefits of student expenditure, rather than adapting to give them work-ready skills that employers value” – Mark Creighton, Avado
In Scotland the percentage of pupils achieving A to C grades in their Highers – the country’s equivalent to A-levels – fell from 89.3% in 2020 to 87.3% in 2021 – but the figure was still well above pre-pandemic levels.
Students did not sit traditional examinations this year – and last – because of the pandemic so A-level results were awarded by teacher-assessed grades overseen by examination boards with slight variations between the four nations of the UK.
Within England there were some regional disparities with, for example, more than 47% of entries in London and the south receiving A* or A, but just 39% of those in the north-east of England doing so.
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Girls this year gained more top grades than boys by about four percentage points – reversing the trend in recent years.
The steep rise in top grades means that the proportion getting top A* and A grades has risen by almost 75% since the last time conventional exams were taken in 2019 – a reflection of the new methods of evaluating students’ work.
A record 43% of school-leavers have applied for places on university courses for this autumn with unprecedented numbers (396,000) gaining their first choice – up eight percentage points on last year – according to admissions service Ucas.
This has led to some disquiet from apprenticeship and skills organisations such as City & Guilds. Its CEO, Kirstie Donnelly, said: “As the jobs landscape continues to reel from the impact of Covid-19 and Brexit, more school leavers are turning towards university as a default choice.
“But, with our Skills Index research revealing that employers are twice as likely to take on apprentices or trainees to fill skills gaps (36%), as opposed to graduates (18%) within the coming years, a university degree might not be the golden ticket to a job that many had hoped.”
She added: “As young people get their results this week, it’s more important than ever that they explore all the options open to them – whether that’s a degree, an apprenticeship, or a degree level apprenticeship – and ensure they are fully informed about career opportunities, so they can make the smartest choices about their futures.”
Mark Creighton, CEO of online training and courses provider Avado, argued that universities were content to maximise revenue from students but were not providing “work-ready skills”. He said: “Businesses across the country are lacking the inherent capabilities needed to grow and prosper in our ever-evolving economic landscape, and this maps back to universities reaping the benefits of student expenditure, rather than adapting to give them work-ready skills that employers value.
“Upskilling is now in the hands of employers who have been left to plug the gaps left from tertiary education that is costing businesses, students and the economy millions of pounds a year. The university-career route as we know needs to evolve rapidly to better support our economic recovery. The faster we recognise that and focus our attention on carving out a capabilities-led pathway, the faster we can rebuild our economy.”
As young people get their results this week, it’s more important than ever that they explore all the options open to them” – Kirstie Donnelly, City & Guilds
Association of Employment and Learning Providers research director Paul Warner would like to see the government further incentivise the apprenticeship route. He said: “AELP wants to see more apprenticeship opportunities available to young people who are receiving their A level and GCSE results. The increased employer incentives, announced in the Budget for all-age apprenticeships, have had a positive effect on apprenticeship numbers but are due to expire at the end of September. For students considering their options, now is the time for the government to extend these incentives, specifically targeting them to increase opportunities for young people.
“Degree apprenticeships are an increasingly popular option because degree apprentices earn while they learn and end up with no student debt, but the number of opportunities are dependent, however, on employers making offers available via a university and the great majority of the training takes place on the job. It will be a while yet before they become more widely available.”
Warner said Ucas research had shown that too many school and college students were simply not made aware of apprenticeships and their benefits while they are still studying: “Schools are required by law (the so-called Baker Clause) to invite local employers and apprenticeship training providers to come and speak to pupils about apprenticeships but compliance is generally poor. The government therefore needs in its Skills and Post-16 Education Bill to take tougher formal action against non-compliance.”
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