Students at schools and colleges across Manchester have received their A Level, BTEC and other vocational exam results today after sitting their first set of public exams before the summer.
Their achievements come in the face of countless challenges caused by Covid over the last two years.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Early Years, Children, and Young People, Manchester City Council, said: “The last two years have been challenging on so many fronts for young people. They should be very proud of themselves for everything they have achieved during this time.
“For those who got the results they need to go on to university, an apprenticeship, or employment – well done, that’s brilliant.
“For those who didn’t, schools and colleges across the city are working hard to support them through this and help them work out their next steps. There is a future pathway for everyone, and we’re determined that in Manchester every young person will succeed and no young person will slip through the cracks.”
Although the difficulties of the last two years during the pandemic have been a challenge for everyone, young people have been hit particularly hard – which is why the council has dedicated this year to young people through its Our Year campaign, to help boost young people’s resilience and create more activities, opportunities, and support for them. Schools throughout the city are playing a key part in this.
Mark McElwee, Headteacher at Parrs Wood High School, Didsbury, said: “Whilst the majority of our students got the results we thought they would, there is no doubt that every single one of them had the odds stacked against them this year.
“With no GCSEs to help prepare them for sitting public exams, repeated lockdowns, illness, and for some the loss of family members to Covid, their resilience shines through in what they have achieved this year and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”
A-level, T-level and BTEC students in Salford are being commended by Salford City Council on their results day for their hard work during the pandemic.
Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services, said: “Congratulations to all A-level, T-level and BTEC students in Salford on their results. They have continued to work hard during the pandemic despite all the issues with how they could study, carry out coursework and take exams. I also want to praise our schools and colleges in the city which have worked closely with students to help them achieve the best results they can.”
Nearly 180,000 18-year-old students in England have had their place at their first choice of university confirmed. This is the largest number ever on record for an examination year, a 20% increase on 2019, when exams were last sat.
Overall, 425,830 students of all ages and domiciles will be going onto university, including a record number of 18-year-olds from a disadvantaged background for an examination year. The gap between the most and least advantaged progressing to university has narrowed to a record low (from 2.29 in 2019 to 2.26 in 2022, and from 2.32 in 2021).
This is the first year that students have taken summer exams since 2019. As part of the Ofqual transition period back to pre-pandemic grades, AS, A level and Vocational and Technical Qualification results received today will be higher than in 2019 in recognition of the disruption students experienced during their exam years.
Exams were taken with support and adaptions in place, including advance information of topics for A levels, and longer assessment windows for vocational and technical qualifications.
Grades will be lower than 2021 when exams did not go ahead and grades were determined by teachers, as schools and colleges remained closed to most pupils until March.
36% of entries for A levels are at grade A or above in the UK – up from 25% in 2019, and down from 45% in 2021, reflecting the target set out last autumn.
