ISC Daily News Summary

ISC Daily News Summary 16 August 2018

A-level results 2018: overall trends

Examinations

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, offers his observations on the overall trends of the 2018 AS and A-level results.

iNews, Tes and Schools Week write that the proportion of students gaining A* at A-level has fallen to its lowest level in five years. Whereas BBC News reports that pupils have been awarded the highest proportion of As and A*s in their A-level results since 2012.

Take-up of Chinese at A-level has overtaken German, according to iNews and Tes, although it has come against a general decline in modern foreign languages.

Tes reports on several trends including girls closing the gender gap; the fall in humanities A-levels; and the rise in STEM entries .


A-level results 2018: subject tables

Examinations

Education Datalab has produced a set of graphs with accompanying analysis to show how your schools' pupils have done in their A-levels compared to other students nationwide. Schools Week.


A-level results 2018: grade remarking

Examinations

Huffington Post reports on criticism that the remarking system favours those who can afford to pay. Article quotes Peter Green, headmaster of Rugby School, following an article in The Times yesterday which reported that the school has pulled out of exam league tables.

The Times writes that exam board, Edexel, will upload its marked A-level exam scripts today to help prevent grade challenges.


Advice to A-level students

Examinations

A number of publications advise pupils on what to do if results day has not gone to plan. Daily Mail advises on how to navigate clearing, including a quote from ISC chairman Barnaby Lenon. The Telegraph and The Times offer guidance on UCAS Adjustment. Huffington Post includes general advice while Sir Gerry Berragan, chief executive of the Institute for Apprenticeships, writes in Tes that university is not the only option for students.


Live results coverage

Examinations

The Guardian, Tes and The Independent feature live updates with pupils' results across the country.


Independent schools do not solely offer academic advantages

Independent sector

The Telegraph features a comment piece arguing why many parents choose to send their child to an independent school. By Sue Learner. Quotes Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the Independent Schools Council, and references Bolton School, St Christopher School, Frensham Heights and Royal Hospital School.


The importance of attending university is falling among young people

Higher education

Young people are increasingly sceptical about the importance of going to university, according to new Ipsos MORI polling published by the Sutton Trust. The Telegraph.

Read The Sutton Trust report here.


'Private schools don't deserve charitable status'

Independent sector

Frances Ryan argues that independent schools should be stripped of their charitable status because they 'perpetuate inequality'. The Guardian.


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