A-level top grades fall in West Midlands but remain above pre-pandemic levels
We were at Newcastle College as hundreds opened their results
Last updated 18th Aug 2023
The proportion of A-level students in the West Midlands awarded top grades is down on last year, but still remains above pre-pandemic levels.
Thousands of students across the region received their results on Thursday.
22.9 percent of entries in the West Midlands were awarded an A or A* grades. That compares to 32.3 percent in 2022, and 22 percent in the year before the pandemic.
Craig Hodgson, Principal and Chief Executive of Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) said: “I am so pleased that we are able to celebrate stellar results, which look set to exceed national benchmarks, with the ‘Class of 2023’. Learners have worked incredibly hard during their time at NSCG and these excellent results are a testament to their relentless dedication, determination and drive.”
Craig continued: “Of course, students cannot achieve wonderful things without support and guidance from a wonderful staff team, so I must extend my thanks and congratulations to the talented staff here at NSCG."
NSCG received 1242 A Level entries with pass rate of 99.1%; 59% of A Level entries achieved A-B and 84.13% achieved A - C grades.
Over 25 A Level courses report 100% pass rate and 85.4% of T Level students achieved distinction grades or above. Annually around 97% of NSCG students progress to university, an apprenticeship or employment.
Nationally, the number of applicants accepted on to UK degree courses has fallen this year but it is up on 2019 - the year before the pandemic, Ucas figures show.
Ucas said 79% of 18-year-old applicants from the UK have secured their first choice, which is down from 81% last year but up from 74% in 2019.
In England, exams regulator Ofqual had said this year's A-level results would be lower than last year and they would be similar to those in 2019 as part of efforts to return to pre-pandemic grading.
It comes after Covid-19 led to an increase in top grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead of exams.
Boys have pulled ahead of girls at the top grade this year after female entries were in front for the last three years, with A* grades at 9.1% for the former compared with 8.8% for the latter.
Girls continued to outperform boys at A* and A but the gender gap has narrowed again this year.
Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL), said: "The proportion of students achieving the top A-level grades has fallen sharply this year, not as a result of underperformance, but because the grading system has been adjusted in the wake of the pandemic so that the distribution of grades in England is similar to 2019.
"This adjustment is a return to normality after the pandemic which necessitated the use of different approaches to grading.
"Whatever the rationale, however, it will feel like a bruising experience for many students, as well as schools and colleges which will have seen a sharp dip in top grades compared to the past three years.
"It is important to remember that these students also suffered the disruption of the pandemic, and this will have impacted particularly on those from disadvantaged backgrounds."
Geoff added: "We would urge students who are disappointed by their grades not to panic but to talk to their teachers about the options available to them and we wish all the young people receiving their results today every success for the future."