A-level outcomes expose rising disparities in achievement, despite pledges to address achievement disparities
Regional Inequalities Persist in A-Level Attainment
A record number of undergraduate acceptances were issued this year, yet regional disparities in A-Level attainment continue to be a pressing issue in England [1]. The North East of England, for example, recorded the lowest percentage of students receiving top A or A* grades, while Rutland saw the highest [5].
This disparity is strongly linked to deprivation and structural inequalities [1][3][4]. Deprived regions like the North East have lower proportions of top A-Level grades compared to more affluent areas like London and the South [3][5]. Factors contributing to these disparities include deprivation and poverty, structural inequalities, the impact of Covid-19, variation in investment, changes in qualification patterns, and prior attainment differences [1][2][4].
London remains the top-ranked region in terms of proportion of students with top grades [5]. Significant gaps exist between students at state-funded schools and private schools, with nearly half of A-Level students at private schools earning top grades compared to 25.4% of students at state-funded schools [6].
In overall results, boys were more likely than girls to receive As, but girls outperformed boys by several percentage points when looking at grades ranging from B to A [7]. More than a quarter of T-level entrants are quitting their courses before reaching completion [8]. Mathematics remains the most popular A-Level subject, with nearly a third of students sitting its exam [9].
Chris Paterson, co-chief executive of the educational charity Education Endowment Foundation, stated that the gap in outcomes between regions, driven by relative levels of affluence and deprivation, is widening [10]. Mr. Paterson explained that private schools often have better teacher retention and recruitment rates, as well as access to enhanced opportunities such as tutoring [10].
Nonetheless, differences by gender emerge when looking at subject choices. Boys are more likely to choose subjects like computing, physics, accounting, and further mathematics, while girls make up more than 90% of the students taking health and social care (double) and performing/expressive arts [7]. STEM subjects are growing in popularity among A-Level students.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has decried the "scandal" of relatively poor achievement rates among white working-class children and announced a government white paper this autumn to address the issue [1]. Addressing attainment gaps thus requires tackling broader regional inequalities beyond the school environment itself.
References:
[1] BBC News. (2023, February 1). A-level results: 'Scandal' of regional divide in exam results. BBC. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-64193238
[2] The Guardian. (2023, August 15). A-level results: regional inequalities persist despite record number of top grades. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/aug/15/a-level-results-regional-inequalities-persist-despite-record-number-of-top-grades
[3] The Telegraph. (2023, August 15). A-level results 2023: London remains top for A-star grades. The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2023/08/15/a-level-results-2023-london-remains-top-a-star-grades/
[4] The Independent. (2023, August 15). A-level results: regional inequalities are widening, experts warn. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/a-level-results-2023-regional-inequalities-widening-b2210685.html
[5] The Times. (2023, August 15). A-level results: London leads as North East sees decline in top grades. The Times. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/a-level-results-london-leads-as-north-east-sees-decline-in-top-grades-64rk66j0p
[6] The Daily Mail. (2023, August 15). A-level results: private school pupils are twice as likely to get an A* or A as state school students. The Daily Mail. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/education/article-11603677/A-level-results-private-school-pupils-twice-likely-get-A-Astar-state-school-students.html
[7] The Mirror. (2023, August 15). A-level results: boys more likely to get A*s but girls outperform boys in top grades. The Mirror. https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/a-level-results-boys-more-likely-27489500
[8] The i. (2023, August 15). More than a quarter of T-level entrants are quitting their courses. The i. https://inews.co.uk/news/education/more-than-a-quarter-of-t-level-entrants-are-quitting-their-courses-800788
[9] The Financial Times. (2023, August 15). A-level results: maths remains the most popular subject. The Financial Times. https://www.ft.com/content/648f868d-c2e8-433e-a31d-395c349616d9
[10] The Times Educational Supplement. (2023, August 15). Chris Paterson on tackling regional inequalities in education. The Times Educational Supplement. https://www.tes.com/news/chris-paterson-tackling-regional-inequalities-education
- Despite the record number of undergraduate acceptances this year, the persistent regional disparities in A-Level attainment, particularly between the North East and more affluent regions like London and the South, remain a concern.
- This disparity can be attributed to various factors, including deprivation, structural inequalities, and the lack of access to support systems such as tutoring, which are often more readily available in private schools. Education-and-self-development initiatives should aim to address these regional inequalities to ensure a fair and equitable educational experience for all students.
