England, Wales, and Northern Ireland have recorded top grades for A-level results by many candidates. The results show higher achievement in getting A* or A grades, which marks a record high in those nations. Such an occurrence is commendable because it is an improvement from 38,5%, which was recorded last year for top grades, and this year about 44,8% of the students attained top grades. This improvement comes in the second year of replacement results due to the cancellation of exams. Thus, the students managed to excel in their studies despite all the challenges brought about by the coronavirus outbreak pandemic and the legal restrictions put in place.
In relation to a historic record high of top grades, heads’ leader Geoff Barton contended that to compare this landmark with previous years’ results is like “comparing apples with oranges,” meaning this is a unique achievement that should be treated in its context. Also, about 200 000 students are getting vocational BTec results. Scotland witnessed a slight drop in the pass rate after the percentage of pupils who achieved A to C grades declined from 89,3% in 2020 to 87,3% in 2021. But the 87,3% is still a high level since the previous years recorded 75% or below. The formal exams had to be cancelled due to covid-19 for the second year, so the grades were based on teacher judgement [Source].
Education secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville was pleased with the students’ performance and said they managed to obtain “a strange set of results, achieved under extraordinary circumstances.” Learning has not been easy amid the global crisis, and most students had to rely on reading alone without teachers while watching online tutorials. Distance learning is usually used for adults at tertiary institutions, and those adults do get sessions with tutors or educators. But covid forced every education facility to resort to distance learning through various online platforms. This did not prevent students from passing with flying colours, and the education secretary views it as a significant triumph against all odds.
The percentage of learners getting A* and A grades increased significantly by 75% compared to 2019 when conventional exams were last written. A pass rate of this magnitude enables more students going forward to pursue university or college studies, and the higher education facilities will experience heaps of applications from students who want a place. Pressure is going to be intense at universities and colleges which are rated best among the rankings. The chief executive of the Russell Group of leading universities, Dr. Tim Bradshaw, posited how the increase in the attainment of top grades means that certain university programs “may not be able to accept students who narrowly missed their offer grades this time.”
But the interim chairman of the exams watchdog, Ofqual, assured the students that their applications for higher learning would be treated fairly and any form of grades, including those based on teachers’ judgements, are going to be trusted. The run-down of pass rates show that 46,9% of girls got top grades compared to 42.1% boys. For A* and A grades, Northern Ireland tops the list with 50,8%, followed by Wales, which has 48,3%, and England recorded 44,3%. Independent schools surpassed comprehensive schools, with the former recording 70,1% A* and A grades while the latter had 39% A* and A grades [Source].
Exam board officials concurred that the students did well and had “multiple chances” to show their academic prowess. England’s Education Secretary Gavin Williamson expressed much joy due to the pass rate and said, “We should all celebrate their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.”
Given the devastating effects of covid-19, such pass rates come as a relief for the learners who faced serious challenges compared to previous school years and are a green light for the governments and other education departments, showing that progress is being made in schools despite the pandemic.
