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Students deserve A* for effort, but the government only rates an E, says ATL
19 August 2010
Student achievement rises, educational standards are high, but government support is poor and provides too few options for A level students, says the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL).
ATL's head of education policy, Nansi Ellis, said: "ATL congratulates students on their achievements at A level, which are testament to the hard work put in by them and their teachers. It is particularly encouraging to see the rise in maths and science entries.
"But it is shameful that for many highly capable students the hard slog will not be rewarded with a university place. As well as being a waste of talent it is totally demotivating for students and teachers and a failure to invest in the future.
"Teachers, careers advisers and universities will now be working incredibly hard to help those unplaced students make the best choices for their future.
"We have yet to see the full impact of the new A* grade on results and university admissions. But it cannot be anything other than detrimental if it leads to an even greater concentration on narrow testing at the expense of gaining skills and wider learning.
"The real problem with A levels is that too many students leave school or college with their heads stuffed with fast forgotten facts, instead of having developed the skills they need for higher education or work, and for successful lives. And many others are lost to education, bored and demotivated by endless testing.
"Instead of creating more and more elaborate grading systems the government needs to think hard and fast to provide education and work opportunities for the A level students who won't get a university place, and importantly not neglect those who leave school without formal qualifications."
Notes to editors
The Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) is an independent, registered trade union and professional association, representing approximately 160,000 teachers, headteachers, lecturers and support staff in maintained and independent nurseries, schools, sixth form, tertiary and further education colleges in the United Kingdom.
ATL exists to help members, as their careers develop, through first rate research, advice, information and legal advice.
ATL is affiliated to the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), European Trade Union Committee for Education (ETUCE) and Education International (EI). ATL is not affiliated to any political party and seeks to work constructively with all the main political parties.