Commenting on today’s A-level and VTQ results, Geoff Barton,
General Secretary of the Association of School and College
Leaders, said:
“Congratulations to the hundreds and thousands of young people
who have received results in A-levels, AS-levels and in a host of
excellent vocational and technical qualifications. To say they
deserve great credit is an understatement given the context of a
global pandemic which has caused huge disruption to their studies
over the past two-and-a-half years. They have shown enormous
resilience and fortitude to reach this point and we wish them
every success in their future studies, training and career
choices. We also pay tribute to their teachers who have worked
very hard and with great skill and professionalism to support
their students throughout the difficult circumstances of the
pandemic.
“As expected, grades are lower than in 2021 but higher than in
2019 when exams last took place as a result of the decision to
return grading to pre-pandemic standards in two stages – which
will mean they will again be generally lower next year. This has
no bearing on competition for university places as universities
have long known of this adjustment and will have taken it into
account in the offers they made to students. But there may well
have been more competition for the most selective universities
and courses because of a rise in the number of 18-year-olds. We
would urge students who have missed out on places not to panic as
there will be a range of options available to them, and to talk
to their school or college about next steps.
“It is likely that results at the level of schools, colleges, and
students will be uneven because of the highly variable impact of
the pandemic with those affected more by infections potentially
faring less well than others. Adaptations were made to exams to
try to mitigate this impact in as far as that is possible but
this is not a normal year by any measure and it is important that
we focus on supporting the progression of students rather than
fixating too much on grades.
“We are sure that all these young people will be able to reach
their full potential in their onward journeys despite the impact
of the pandemic on their lives and that they will find their
experience of higher education, apprenticeships and careers very
rewarding and fulfilling. We wish them well for the future.”
