A-level results remain stable

A-level results for 2016 have remained stable, with 98.1 per cent of all entries receiving a pass grade of A*-E, the same as in 2015.

Despite the overall pass rate remaining the same, the percentage of students achieving the top A* and A grades saw a slight decrease from last year, falling from 25.9 per cent to 25.8 per cent, marking the fifth consecutive year in which the figure has fallen.

The results also show that the gender gap between boys and girls achieving top grades has fallen. Boys have received a higher proportion of A* and A grades every year since 2012, but this year marks this first time since 2012 that the gap has begun to narrow, dropping from 0.9 per cent to 0.8 per cent.

The results have also sparked concern over the decline in so called ‘minority subjects’, such as modern foreign languages, music, art and design.

Malcolm Trobe, interim general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: “We are concerned about the continuing decline in entries to A levels in modern foreign languages, and other ‘minority’ subjects such as music and design and technology. These statistics reflect the fact that sixth forms and colleges are finding it increasingly difficult to run courses where there are relatively small numbers of students because of severe funding pressures.

“The level of post-16 funding is woeful and urgently needs to be addressed. We are in danger of becoming trapped in a vicious circle where entries to these very important subjects continues to decline and there are consequently fewer people to teach them in the future exacerbating an ongoing recruitment crisis. The government must invest more money in post-16 education as a matter of urgency.”