Record A-level results mask widening regional disparities in England

Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their A-level, T-level and BTec results on Thursday, with a record number of 18-year-olds securing places at their first-choice universities Source: BBC. While the overall results were strong, with record rates of A and A* grades, a closer look reveals widening regional disparities in England Source: The Guardian.

Regional divide

The gap in top grades between London and the north-east has grown to 9.6 percentage points, the largest since the pandemic, up from 3.9 points in 2019 Source: The Guardian. Nearly a third of London candidates (32.7%) achieved A* or A, while in the East Midlands and north-east, less than a quarter did (23.1% and 22.9% respectively) Source: The Guardian. Experts attribute London's success to factors like the London Challenge initiative, higher teacher pay, and ambitious migrant families Source: The Guardian.

Student experiences

Students expressed a mix of nerves and elation. Emily, a student in Hartlepool, said she "felt a bit sick" before receiving her grades but was happy with her A*, A and B, and is now pursuing a degree apprenticeship to become a solicitor Source: BBC.

Calls for action

Chris Zarraga, director of Schools North East, argued that schools in disadvantaged areas are being asked to "compensate" for broader societal issues, and called for a system-wide approach Source: The Guardian. The government's Rise teams are focusing on weak areas, and a proposal to vary funding based on household income has been welcomed Source: The Guardian.