Top A-level grades fall as regional gap widens

Number of top A-level grades falls as north-south divide widens

- Sally Weale, Pamela Duncan and Rachel Hall

The number of top A-level grades has fallen sharply this year after a return to examinations, with warnings of large regional variations and a “stark” divide between state and private schools.

Grades awarded in England, Wales and Northern Ireland yesterday were down by 8.4 percentage points compared with last year’s record results, while A*s alone decreased by 4.5 points, in line with government plans to bring marks gradually back to pre-pandemic levels.

University admissions have fallen, after one of the most competitive admissions cycles in recent years, though they are still the second highest on record, according to the university admissions service Ucas. But the number of students without a university place rose by a third, while a further 24,000 are estimated to have missed out on their first choice.

Overall, yesterday’s results were higher across the UK than pre- pandemic levels, but the attainment gap between the north and south of England widened further, with students in wealthier areas – including London – extending their lead. While the gap between students in the south and the northeast getting As and A*s was between four and five percentage points in 2019, it is now more than eight percentage points.

Chris Zarraga, director of Schools North East, said: “We are incredibly proud of the students and school staff in our region and all they have achieved despite unprecedented circumstances. However, the results reflect the disproportionate effect the pandemic has had on our region.”