Labour’s Schools Minister Iain Wright has congratulated A-level students on their results.

Results show an increase in the numbers of pupils passing A Levels, including rises in key subjects like science and maths. Overall, there has been a 9.9 percentage point rise in the pass rate at A Level since 1997.

Welcoming the news, Labour’s Schools Minister, Iain Wright said:

“These are excellent results and reflect the hard work of both students and their teachers and the support of parents. They are a direct result of the massive improvements in teaching and leadership in schools and colleges which Ofsted has been reporting for years.
 
“Critics who belittle better results and infer that the only way to measure a successful education system is by young people failing A levels are insulting the hard work of students and teachers and the great support that parents give their children during these difficult qualifications.

“The bottom line is that post-16 education is no longer the preserve of the elite and privileged few – more students than ever before are carrying on studying until 18. This September will see more young people than ever before starting higher education. This is a transformation in education participation and attainment which should be a cause for celebration not criticism. “