Students awaiting next week’s A-level results are “the unluckiest cohort” to come out of the pandemic because they face fewer top grades despite disruption to their schooling, a social mobility expert has warned.
Lee Elliot Major, professor of social mobility at the University of Exeter, said this year’s A-level students, especially those from low-income homes, need more support and guidance than ever.
His warning comes the day after it was predicted that nearly 100,000 fewer A* and A grades will be awarded this year, as grading returns to pre-pandemic levels.
Professor Elliot Major said: “This is in many ways the unluckiest cohort of students coming out of the pandemic.
“As well as the disruption to their learning since 2020, there will be fewer A-grade A levels this year as we move back to tougher pre-pandemic grade boundaries.
“We must do all we can to provide support and guidance for a cohort who will be experiencing the highest levels of anxiety and uncertainty.”
A levels 2023: Students ‘need support and guidance’
He said it was crucial that all these factors “do not contribute to social mobility in the UK going backwards”.
Students from low-income homes, “already disproportionately scarred by the pandemic”, may lose out over the next decade, Professor Elliot Major warned.
He called for educationalists to intensify efforts to widen access to universities, including through wider use of contextual offers.
His comments were backed by Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, who agreed that the return to pre-pandemic standards will likely have some impact on grades, while the number of university places available has not changed.
The need to provide support and guidance for this cohort will be “paramount”, he said, adding that schools and colleges “will be doing all they can at an anxious time to help students get their chosen university place, and advising on next steps as necessary”.
This year’s A-level results will be lower than last year, and are expected to be similar to those before the pandemic.
The cancellation of exams because of Covid-19 led to an increase in top A-level grades in 2020 and 2021, with results based on teacher assessments instead.
This year’s A-level cohort did not take GCSE exams two years ago, and were instead awarded results determined by their teachers. Students also faced disruption this year due to industrial action.
In addition, school leavers are expected to face more competition for university places as a result of population changes and international demand.
The Department for Education has been approached for comment.
