Eithne Hughes, Director of the Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) Cymru, comments on the publication of this year’s A-level and vocational qualification results in Wales.
“Congratulations to students and their teachers on this year’s results. These are demanding qualifications requiring extensive knowledge, skill and application. Everybody involved should be proud of what they have achieved.
“The proportion of students achieving the top A-level grades has fallen this year, but remains higher than in 2019. This is a result of the approach taken in Wales following the pandemic to adjust the grading system so that the distribution of grades is between that of 2019 and 2022, as part of a soft glide back to 2019 standards next year.
“We welcome the approach that has been taken. This year’s cohort has suffered huge educational disruption as a result of the pandemic and the work of these students and their teachers in this very difficult situation deserves great credit. The unique circumstances experienced by these students means it is important to avoid making comparisons to results from other years, at either national, regional or school level.
“We would urge any students who are disappointed by their grades to talk to their teachers who are best placed to advise on all the options available to them. We wish all students in Wales the best for their next steps, whether that is at university, in further education or in work.”