Ministers to target 'disadvantaged' groups falling behind in grades

Ministers have vowed to tackle England's "entrenched" educational gaps that are leaving some regions and groups trailing far behind their peers and closing off options such as university for many of their school leavers.

- Richard Adams

A-level results published yesterday showed an improving national picture, with a higher proportion of young people gaining top grades. But the improvements faded outside London, the south-east and big cities.

While one-in-three entries from 18-year-olds in London gained A* or A grades, fewer than one-in-four did so in the north-east of England, where results remain below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

London's advantage means that the university application rate for its students remains considerably above all other English regions, even as record numbers of school leavers accepted offers to begin higher education courses this autumn.

The Department for Education said the results "have exposed inequalities which continue to exist in the education system", which it aims to tackle in a schools white paper later this year.

Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, said: "Every single young person collecting their results should have the opportunity to pursue their dreams - whether that starts with further study, university, an apprenticeship or the world of work - but too often, opportunities depend on background rather than talent.