Commenting on today’s Level 3 results, Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, said:
"Congratulations to all students receiving their A-Level, Vocational and Technical Qualification results today, and to all the dedicated staff who have taught them.
“It is a day to think about whether A-Levels should remain so heavily reliant on end of course exams. This is an outdated approach which limits students’ ability to demonstrate their full range of skills. Using more varied methods of assessment would better prepare young people with what they will need for future learning, life and employment.
“Students taking vocational and technical qualifications have also faced years of disruption and uncertainty. NEU members remain unconvinced that new V-Levels can match the proven pathways and opportunities offered by Applied General qualifications, such as BTECs and Cambridge Technicals.
“As the new Education Secretary reviews the outcome of the Curriculum and Assessment Review, we encourage her to address these issues.
“Looking at results amongst groups of students today it is important to recognise the barriers to learning created by poverty, deprivation and regional inequality in our country. Schools do everything they can to respond to poverty but the pressures and strains on schools in areas of disadvantage must be addressed by Andy Burnham’s Government, including all our schools and colleges to be properly funded.”