A-level outcomes day as lots of of 1000’s await their grades – dwell updates

Elevating college tuition charges can be “unpalatable”, Training Secretary Bridget Phillipson has stated, however she added that the federal government intends to reform the general system.

Requested whether or not tuition payment caps can be elevated within the subsequent 5 years, she advised Sky Information:

I do recognise the problem, and I hear that message from establishments as properly, however I feel that’s a very unpalatable factor to be contemplating.

Not least as a result of I do know that numerous college students throughout the nation are already going through large challenges round the price of dwelling, housing prices, numerous college students I communicate to who’re already working numerous jobs, further hours, with the intention to pay for his or her research.

Phillipson additionally stated that the federal government doesn’t intend to take away visa restrictions positioned on worldwide college students by the earlier Tory authorities.

In January, restrictions had been launched to stop most worldwide college students bringing dependents with them to the UK.

We don’t intend to vary that.

However what I do say is that worldwide college students who come to our nation and research do make an amazing contribution.

Non-public faculties which may shut on account of the federal government’s plans to impose 20% VAT are already going through “big budget shortfalls”, Training Secretary Bridget Phillipson has stated.

She advised Sky Information:

Non-public faculties are companies that may make decisions about how they handle their budgets, the extent of charges that they cost, and finally, it’s about how engaging they’re to households when it comes to the numbers of scholars which can be despatched there.

We’ve got seen personal faculties lately whack up their charges 12 months on 12 months, method past inflation, and that has priced out numerous individuals.

And I feel what we’ve seen with a few of the examples which can be being mentioned are faculties that had been already experiencing large price range shortfalls, weren’t attracting the identical numbers of scholars that they may like to draw, and that’s what’s driving what we see right here now.

Our plans to impose VAT on personal college charges are about driving excessive requirements in our state faculties.

A report variety of college students from the bottom socio-economic backgrounds have secured a spot at college and faculty this 12 months, in line with the College and School Admissions Service.

27,600 of UK 18-year-olds from essentially the most deprived backgrounds (POLAR4 Quintile 1) have accepted a spot, up 7% on 25,800 final 12 months and on the earlier excessive report of 26,650 (+4%) in 2021.

In England, 22,640 18-year-old candidates from essentially the most deprived backgrounds (TUNDRA quintile 1) have gained a spot – the best on report.

In Wales 1,200 of these from essentially the most deprived backgrounds (WIMD2019 quintile 1) have been accepted, down from the height of 1,250 in 2023.

In Northern Eire 1,000 from essentially the most deprived backgrounds (NIMDM2017 quintile 1) have gotten a spot in comparison with 1,010 in 2023.

For UK 18-year-olds total, there are over 10,000 extra candidates heading to school or faculty this September than final 12 months – 243,650 in comparison with 230,600 (+6%) final 12 months.

This implies 31.7% of the 18-year-old inhabitants have gotten a spot versus 30.4% in 2023.

Right now’s figures additionally present:

• Total, 425,680 candidates (all ages, all domiciles) have been accepted into college or faculty – a rise on 414,940 (+3%) in 2023.

• In whole, 376,470 college students (all ages, all domiciles) have been accepted at their first (UCAS ‘firm’) alternative, a 4% improve on final 12 months. This represents 82% of these holding a proposal who obtained their determination this morning up from 79% in 2023.

• The general variety of accepted worldwide college students stands at 51,170, in keeping with 51,210 in 2023. Nevertheless, accepted candidates from China are barely down in comparison with final 12 months – 10,950 (-6%).

• The highest three topics with the biggest improve in whole positioned candidates are engineering and know-how (+11% on final 12 months), structure, constructing and planning (+9%) and regulation (+9%).

• Acceptances for UK college students (all ages) to nursing have risen barely in comparison with 2023, with 18,450 candidates securing a spot (up 1%). This nonetheless represents a decline from the height seen in the course of the pandemic.

Dr Jo Saxton, chief government of Ucas, stated:

I’m notably thrilled to see free college meals college students securing a spot at college or faculty in report numbers. I understand how essential it’s to everybody working in training that each scholar, irrespective of their background, has the chance to succeed in their full potential. Widening entry and participation isn’t just about numbers; it’s about opening up doorways and reworking the lives of scholars via larger training to allow them to pursue their passions and profession aspirations.

Ucas is right here to assist all candidates take their subsequent step, together with college students who obtained totally different outcomes than anticipated, or those that wish to change their thoughts.

There are just below 30,000 programs out there in Ucas Clearing throughout a broad vary of topics and universities so there actually is one thing for everybody.

Russell Passion, the CEO of Educate First, a social enterprise which goals to deal with academic drawback in England and Wales, has appeared on LBC Information this morning, saying that inequality in training results in “a huge waste of talent and opportunity”.

He stated:

We simply can not construct the kind of nation we wish if a 3rd of younger individuals who come from low earnings backgrounds are simply disappearing from the system when it comes to employment or coaching.

The most important factor for us when it comes to the outcomes that we see are the large gaps between younger individuals primarily based on their household wealth and background, and in addition the a part of the nation that they arrive from,” he stated, including “in some components of the nation, massive percentages will go on to good employment, college locations, apprenticeships. And in others, there’s loads fewer.

A part of the answer, he stated, was “to go right back to the start and look at funding for schools.”

He advised listeners:

We’ve received to be sure that these faculties who do serve deprived communities get essentially the most cash. I feel most significantly, we’ve received to ensure they get the very best lecturers as properly, as a result of it’s the standard of educating that drives nearly all the pieces that goes on in training.

I don’t suppose there’s many younger individuals who sit there pondering, , I simply need to fiddle and never do very a lot. Individuals need to get forward. We discover that ambitions and aspirations are the identical, regardless of the wealth of the household and background that individuals come from.

However we additionally know that for those who come from a extra privileged background, you’ve higher connections. You might know extra people who find themselves in several jobs. Your mother and father might be able to get you an internship or work expertise or simply the connections that you just want. So I feel quite a lot of younger individuals, they don’t have decrease ambitions, however they lose sight of the trail to go from the place they’re at this time to the place they need to be.

He stated it was essential nonetheless to keep in mind that these sitting their exams at this time would have had their training disrupted by the pandemic, “and their education suffered as a result of that”.

Training Secretary Bridget Phillipson has dedicated to closing the “big gaps” in college entry throughout the UK.

Chatting with Sky Information, she stated:

I need all younger individuals to have the ability to select the trail that’s proper for them. For a lot of younger people who will probably be college, for a lot of younger people who will probably be an apprenticeship, or going into the world of labor.

It’s about having these vary of choices which can be out there. And I feel, sadly, regardless of the headline determine when it comes to college functions, we do nonetheless see, sadly, very large variations between totally different components of the nation.

So for instance, you’re much more prone to apply to school from London and the south east than you might be from the north east, the place I’m from. So it’s not sort of a flat determine throughout the nation. There are large gaps, large variations, and truly that they’ve been rising lately.

And the identical is unfortunately true relating to a few of our outcomes. And I’m completely decided to show that round, as a result of I don’t imagine the place you’re from ought to decide what you may go on to realize, and it actually shouldn’t restrict your decisions and choices.”

Phillipson added that there are “plenty of opportunities” for A-level college students who fall quick on outcomes day.

She advised Sky Information:

To our younger individuals receiving their outcomes, there are many nice choices on the market when it comes to what you may go on to do subsequent.

For these younger individuals who get what they want and transfer on to their vacation spot of alternative, that’s sensible.

For individuals who maybe fall barely quick, there are many choices on the market. There are many individuals that may be there to supply recommendation and assist, whether or not that’s the varsity or faculty, Ucas via clearing, or the Nationwide Profession Service.

Right here’s an essential reminder from the Nationwide Union of College students – that “your grades do not define you”.

Qasim Hussain, Vice President Additional Training, stated:

Congratulations on making it to outcomes day! I do know you’ve labored extraordinarily arduous to be right here, and I’m pleased with you it doesn’t matter what occurs subsequent.

Whether or not you select to go straight into work, begin an apprenticeship, or go to school, there is no such thing as a one path to success. Any determination is an efficient determination so long as it’s best for you. For those who don’t know what you need to do, ensure to speak to your lecturers, or steering or careers counsellors to assist determine what’s the proper path for you.

For those who haven’t received the grades you anticipated, don’t panic. It could really feel like the tip of the world, however there are many methods to realize your targets. For those who didn’t get into the college you needed, ask your lecturers or steering counsellors about clearing. In case you are not occupied with clearing, there is no such thing as a disgrace in retaking an examination or taking a 12 months out to rethink your targets.

Your grades don’t outline you. Whether or not you probably did higher or worse than anticipated, you need to be pleased with all of the arduous work you set into getting your self via such a aggravating time. For those who’re planning to remain in training, I hope to see you as a part of the scholar motion sooner or later!

For anybody receiving their outcomes and making use of to additional or larger training at this time, or supporting somebody who’s, right here’s some recommendation from the Division for Training:

• College students’ college or faculty – or the admissions staff on the college to which they’re making use of – needs to be their first port of name.

• College students also can get recommendation by visiting the Get Assist with Examination Outcomes hub on the Nationwide Careers Service web site. College students also can contact an professional careers adviser by webchat via the Nationwide Careers Service web site or by calling 0800 100 900.

• UCAS’s Clearing hotline on 0371 468 0 468 is open to assist college students perceive their choices.

• The web Clearing Plus service will assist match college students to programs with entry necessities that align with the grades they achieved.

• For younger individuals who haven’t but selected their subsequent steps, there are a number of high-quality choices out there, together with apprenticeships and better technical {qualifications}, that can allow them to realize the talents they should kickstart nice careers. College students can discover their choices via the Abilities for Careers (training.gov.uk) web site.

Grades are anticipated to be “broadly similar to last year”, in line with Training Secretary Bridget Phillipson.

She is congratulating pupils and lecturers for his or her arduous work and dedication as college students put together to obtain their A stage, T Stage and different vocational and technical {qualifications} at this time.

College students receiving their A stage outcomes are anticipated to obtain broadly related grades to final 12 months, the place 75.4% of scholars obtained a C or above and 26.5% obtained an A or above, with grading in England again to pre-pandemic ranges for the second 12 months in a row.

Over 320,000 UK 18-year-olds utilized to school this 12 months – the second highest on report. Nearly all of these will obtain a spot at their first-choice college at this time, whereas Ucas will even assist 1000’s of scholars to entry locations utilizing Clearing.

Alongside the celebration of scholars’ arduous work, Phillipson is anticipating outcomes day to show a few of the inequalities throughout the training system, together with regional disparities in attainment and entry to larger training.

Labour desires to “put education back at the forefront of national life and break down those barriers to opportunity, helping improve children’s life chances regardless of their background”.

Training Secretary, Bridget Phillipson stated:

College students up and down the nation needs to be extremely pleased with what they’ve achieved. I need congratulate all of them and to ship my because of all of the improbable lecturers and workers who’ve proven such dedication in supporting younger individuals to succeed in this stage.

Younger individuals deserve monumental credit score for what they’ve achieved, within the face of each the massive disruption of latest years, and in too many circumstances the inequality that goes hand in hand with younger individuals’s backgrounds. I’m decided to interrupt down these limitations to alternative so each younger individual can pursue their goals and thrive.

I hope younger individuals in all places can rejoice their outcomes and stay up for their subsequent step – be that college, an apprenticeship or starting their careers.

The College and School Union has criticised the “chaotic scramble” of clearing, which takes place at this time and provides college students a possibility to get a recent place at college.

UCU common secretary Jo Grady stated:

The chaotic scramble to vacuum up college students via clearing reveals why universities want a brand new funding mannequin. The overreliance on tuition payment earnings is inflicting large monetary instability throughout the sector. In response, universities have resorted to providing money prizes or the prospect to win free lodging to college students who enroll via clearing. To cease establishments from making these inappropriate inducements, the federal government should step in and defend the sector. It must agree to supply emergency funding to guard all jobs, programs and establishments in danger, and finish the failed marketised larger training experiment.

This outcomes day, the union is urging the federal government to shut the pay hole between college and faculty lecturers, and calling for BTECs to be protected.

Polling of 17-21 12 months olds, performed by Savanta on behalf of UCU, has discovered the overwhelming majority of younger individuals:

• Need to see faculty workers paid pretty, via the closing of the school schoolteacher pay hole (81%).

• Are involved about the price of larger training (81%), imagine college students ought to pay much less (84%), and need employers to pay extra (70%).

• Need the federal government to supply emergency funding to universities at monetary danger (87%).

Grady stated:

Right now is the fruits of years of arduous work by college students and workers, who needs to be counseled for his or her dedication. Sadly, these receiving their outcomes from additional training schools have been taught by workers who earn a lot lower than their counterparts in faculties. Schoolteachers will obtain a completely funded 5.5% pay award whereas faculty lecturers have once more been left wanting. That is along with a pay hole of £9k that already exists.

A two-tier pay mannequin, the place faculty workers earn much less, overwhelmingly disadvantages the working-class college students who usually tend to attend additional training schools than their middle-class friends. If the federal government is critical about addressing the inequalities hardwired into England’s training system, it must urgently take heed to younger individuals and shut the school schoolteacher pay hole.

On the federal government’s plan to scrap BTECs subsequent 12 months, Grady added:

Many college students will probably be gaining their stage 3 BTEC outcomes at this time. This tried and examined entry route into college or onto expert employment is now liable to dropping its funding. On the very least, the federal government wants to increase its overview interval so BTECs aren’t scrapped subsequent 12 months. Something much less will probably be a betrayal of the lots of of 1000’s of scholars who depend on these essential {qualifications}.

Pupils from poorer backgrounds aren’t getting sufficient recommendation on subsequent steps after college, a Social Mobility Basis ballot has discovered.

The suppose tank discovered that lower than half of younger individuals from decrease socioeconomic backgrounds really feel they’ve the assets and assist in school to do their greatest (48% in contrast with 56% from larger socioeconomic backgrounds).

Only one in eight college and faculty pupils aged over 16 obtained recommendation about going straight into work, whereas just one in three got recommendation on apprenticeships and only one in 4 had carried out in-person work expertise.

The charity is asking on the federal government to make sure that all younger persons are in a position to make knowledgeable decisions about their futures.

When requested in regards to the limitations they skilled throughout secondary college and sixth type, over 1 in 5 (22%) from decrease socioeconomic backgrounds stated they’d insufficient entry to a quiet research house at dwelling or in school. Round 1 in 10 (9%) from decrease socioeconomic backgrounds stated that insufficient entry to the web at dwelling was a barrier. This was nearly double the determine for these from larger socioeconomic backgrounds (5%).

The overwhelming majority of college college students of all backgrounds say they’re apprehensive about cash (71%) and the price of dwelling (73%) – the next proportion than say they’re apprehensive about maintaining with their research (67%).

Over half (52%) of potential college students from decrease socioeconomic backgrounds stated they had been extra prone to apply to a college nearer to dwelling, considerably greater than from the upper socioeconomic group (43%). Much less well-off college students had been additionally extra prone to fear about scholar debt and maintaining with their research.

Sarah Atkinson, Chief Government, Social Mobility Basis, stated:

Clearly, the federal government should prioritise closing the widening attainment hole between pupils from lower-income backgrounds and their friends. However not solely are poorer college students being held again in training, they’re not getting the steering they want on their subsequent steps. Whether or not it’s doing an apprenticeship, going straight into work or learning for a level, younger individuals have to be given clear info on the choices out there to them in each college, proper throughout the UK.

For individuals who do go on to larger training, we all know that college students are struggling to afford the necessities, with many having to dwell at dwelling or earn whereas they be taught. Universities want to make sure that their programs are versatile in order that college students can research in a method that fits their wants and flourish no matter their background.

Good morning, and welcome to our weblog masking A-level launch day as lots of of 1000’s of scholars throughout England, Wales and Northern Eire nervously await the grades that would safe college locations.

Colleges obtained the outcomes yesterday so will probably be braced to assist those that could must undergo clearing if they’ve missed their grades.

Final 12 months, the proportion of prime A*-A grades in England shrank from 35.9% in 2022 to 26.5% in a reversal of pandemic-era grade inflation and a few specialists are predicting there may very well be an extra fall this 12 months.

Scottish college students obtained the outcomes of their Increased exams final week and the A-C go charge confirmed a fall on final 12 months, at 74.9% towards 77.1% (it was 74.8% in 2019, earlier than the pandemic hit).

This 12 months, we’ll be trying to discover out whether or not there was a return to pre-pandemic marking after 4 years of instability; whether or not the north-south divide is rising, in addition to the hole between girls and boys; and what the impression is on college admissions, with “every course under the sun” stated to be out there in clearing and establishments anticipated to simply accept numerous college students who’ve missed their grades.

We’ll discover out the solutions at 9.30am this morning, so ensure you observe together with us at this time for all of the developments.