ASCL comment on UCU report on university admissions

Commenting on the international study conducted for the University and College Union (UCU) on the use of predicted grades and post-qualifications admissions, Malcolm Trobe, Deputy General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said:

“ASCL echoes the concerns in this report about the use of predicted grades to award university places and calls on the government to review the system urgently. Out of date and no longer fit for purpose, it is a historical quirk which is not mirrored in other countries and creates unnecessary problems.

“In particular, we are extremely concerned about the rising number of unconditional offers made to students before they have taken their A-levels. This practice can demotivate students and lead to underperformance in these important qualifications which disadvantages them if prospective future employers take their A-level grades into account. Moving to a system of post-qualifications admissions would end the practice of unconditional offers.

“There are practical challenges in introducing a system of post-qualifications admissions but we do not believe these are insurmountable.”