Most disappointment will be felt by those expecting the very top grade and those on the cusp of passing. At the top, pride will have been dented, because there are fewer straight nines. Missing out is far more serious for those hoping for a pass, since failure could mean not getting what they need for the course they were hoping to do.
If it is in English and maths where they fall short, and here the risk is highest, they face the prospect of having to re-sit them. I feel for them, because one of my daughters was in this situation.
There is once again better news for girls since, although their lead has reduced slightly, they are still way ahead. Is it that they are brighter or is the education system failing boys? Such a waste, with unnecessary loss to those affected and the country. The facts are known, but nothing is done, largely because of the feminist myth that men always come out on top in the end.
The results are mainly good news for Londoners. Along with the South East, it has done much better than other parts of England, but not the UK. Northern Ireland’s success is the UK’s best kept education secret.
It’ll be no comfort to those who are very disappointed by their results, but this year’s return to exams is restoring the value of the grades and making them a much better basis for good decisions than the over-optimistic awards of the past two years.
Professor Alan Smithers is director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham.
