HEADTEACHERS have rebuffed the now perennial claims that A-levels are getting easier, after students celebrates another bumper set of results yesterday.
Rob Haring is headteacher at Hanley Castle High School, which posted a two per cent increase in its overall pass rate.
He said: “A-levels remain the tried and tested standard. The reason results are improving each year is because students are working harder than ever before and are better prepared by the teachers.
“We can match the right pupil to the right course and because A-levels are modular we can more easily fine-tune learning than in the past.”
He said that among the news of increased pass rates there were pupils who had had a “bumpy ride”.
Kevin Peak, headteacher at the Chase Technology College in Malvern – which also posted a slight improvement – said: “I get annoyed at the constant cry that exams are getting easier. I tell parents and students to ignore it.
“Students know what they have to do and each year teachers make it clearer.”
Mike Foster, Worcester MP
and a former A-level teacher, praised staff at Worcester Sixth Form College and Worcester College of Technology who had contributed to the record results and urged students to “celebrate their successes”.
He also urged A-level nay-sayers not to “knock” the system but instead to take pride in improving pass rates.
Mr Foster said: “When it comes to education, some believe exams must be easier if improvements happen. Such an attitude is typical of a wider disease of attacking success – and to do it at the expense of young people is a crime.
“If pass rates improve, we should celebrate the fact and congratulate those involved.
“It matters to students, their families and the teaching staff not to indulge in negative attacks when things are getting better.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here