A* - Raising the Bar?

Today is one of the most important dates in the education calendar - A-Levels Results Day. Much has been made of the increased pass rate, lack of university places and more controversially, the new A* grade. I will assess the impact of each of these but firstly, some key facts about this year's exam results.

• Pass rate = 97.6%
• Pass rate at Higher level in Scotland = 76%
• A* grades = 8%
• A* grades (boys) = 7.3%
• A* grades (girls) = 8.3%
• A* grades of private school pupils = 18%
• A grades = 27%
• Number of pupils eligible for Clearing = 180 000
• Number of courses available through Clearing= 18 500
• Number of university applications = 660 000

This means that it would be difficult to fail an A-Level and pupils in private schools do disproportionately well. Anything we didn't know? This year, the introduction of A*s has caused much furore but will it make any difference to pupils' prospects? There is much talk at the moment of pupils who achieve A*s not getting university places. I think we can say that there is a valid concern that if pupils in private schools are at a significantly greater chance of achieving an A* grade, those universities who stipulate A* grades are going to end up with more pupils from private schools. The private school - state school debate is for another day (soon) but the figures do merit greater investigation.

The difference between the pass rate at A-Level and Higher need to be accounted for in university entrance requirements. We cannot equate the two systems in exactly the same manner but the significant difference in the pass rates need to be seen as indicative of more than different exams - they are indicative of different attitudes to education and different systems of assessment.

The shrinking in the gender gap, at least at the top level of results, is very good news. Part of this may be due to the fact that there has been an increase of pupils taking maths or science subjects, traditionally seen as more popular among boys. It has been suggested that this is due to a more competitive "market" for university places and so universities prefer to see pupils taking more "academic" subjects. Yet there seems to be a conflict in the media reporting - A-Levels are getting easier but pupils are taking "harder" subjects. Does this really add up?

The Clearing figures do cause some alarm because of the drop from one year ago. The problem is intensified because pupils who did not get a university place last year have applied and got unconditional offers this year, thus squeezing the supply despite a growing demand. Both universities and pupils are left in limbo as universities try and balance their figures of students and pupils are at the mercy of UCAS. Clearing is a great system for those who don't quite make it as it does offer an alternative. However, pupils need to think carefully before opting for a course. Will it be as good as your first choice? Have you considered the other options such as apprenticeships, going abroad to study or taking a gap year? Things will be easier when applying next year for those who already have their grades and can meet the universities' requirements. Deciding where to study for three or four years is a big decision in the life of any 18 year-old and taking anything which Clearing throws up could be the wrong thing for you.

A final point, with all these different debates raging around the A-Levels results, we must not forget to congratulate every single pupil on their results. Whatever your results, well done!