A-level results: private school pupils monopolise top grades

Pupils from private schools were more likely to gain top grades in this summer's A-levels, according to the Department for Education.?Photo: PA/Gareth Fuller

Data published today shows almost 32 per cent of teenagers in the private sector gained three A or A* grades this summer compared with just over eight per cent in mixed-ability state schools.

At the same time, fewer than one-in-20 students taking exams in further education colleges and one-in-10 candidates from sixth-forms were awarded a string of top grades.

It puts private school pupils at a huge advantage when applying for Britain's elite universities which increasingly fail to consider candidates unless they score at least three As.

Nick Gibb, the Schools Minister, branded the figures “astonishing” and suggested thousands of children were being left behind.

"We must close this gap - which is why we are driving up teaching standards across the profession and developing a world-class curriculum for all," he said.

He added: "A-levels are a key stepping stone towards higher education and future careers. It's only right that we make sure our qualifications match the best in the world and keep pace with the demands of employers and universities."

Figures published by the Department for Education represent the first full breakdown of A-level results for 381,181 teenagers in England.

According to data, 12.8 per cent of students – almost 48,800 – gained three As nationally. This was the same as last year.

Numbers increased to 31.8 per cent among independent school pupils, compared with 27.5 per cent in selective state grammars, 9.8 per cent in sixth-form colleges, 8.3 per cent in comprehensives and 4.7 per cent in FE colleges.

Boys scored more top grades than girls for the second year running, the figures show. Some 13.1 per cent of boys scored three or more As, compared with 12.5 per cent of girls.

The Government has already indicated that top universities will be able to recruit unlimited numbers of students who gain at least two As and a B next year.

According to the figures, almost 45 per cent did so in independent schools, compared with just under 15 per cent in state comprehensives. This could further tighten private school pupils' grip on sought-after university places.

Data also showed a drop in the number of students gaining at least two A-level passes – from 94.8 to 92.7 per cent.

This comes amid claims that grade boundaries have been toughened up this year following warnings from the Coalition Government against “dumbing down”.