Jim Knight and Ed Balls have congratulated A-level students and welcomed news that increased numbers of pupils are passing A Levels, with rises in key subjects like sciences - and maths at its highest level in over a decade.   

As a result of Labour’s investment in education since 1997, coupled with the hard work of students and teachers, there has been a 9.6 percentage point rise in the pass rate at A Level (from 87.6% to 97.2%), and a 18.2 percentage point rise in the proportion of A-C grades awarded (from 55.7% to 73.9%).

Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, said:

“Many congratulations to all the students who have done so well this year. Their hard work has paid off and I wish them all the best in their future study and careers.

“I sincerely hope that this year, with the formation of the new independent standards regulator Ofqual, we can finally begin to put a stop to the annual sterile debate which claims that improved results mean ‘dumbing down’. The public can have full confidence that Ofqual, the independent guardian of standards, will provide a robust, transparent regulatory framework which can continue to give people confidence in the standards of both new and existing qualifications and tests.”

Labour’s School Minister Jim Knight added:

“But we must not be complacent, there is still further to go to make sure all young people have the choices they need to do the best they can. That is why we are making significant changes to the education system for 14 to 19-year- olds.

“From this September students will be able to study the exciting new Diplomas, helping end the historic divide between academic and vocational learning. We will also see the first generation of school children starting secondary school who will be required to stay in education or training to 17. A Levels will stretch the brightest students starting this year, who will have the chance to get an A* in 2010. And sixth formers can now do an extended project, which will give them the independent study skills that universities want. We are also further expanding the availability of apprenticeships.

“Today’s results give us good reason for optimism and our further reforms will help pave the way to a world class education for all.”