Need to know: A-level results, exam board strike and support staff

This week brought the first set of A-level results to be delivered out of exams since 2019, with the results highlighting how different parts of the country have been hit harder by Covid disruption and raising fears about a widening of the disadvantage gap.

Tes also reported on a planned strike by exam board staff on GCSE results day, looked at why some students don’t settle at university and offered leadership advice on ways to keep your school support staff happy.

Catch up on your must-read Tes news and features articles from the past week right here:

News

• A-level results: The results roundup
  Tes breaks down this week’s A-level results by gender and subject, after the first set of exams to be held since before the pandemic.
   
• A-level results: Regional top grade gap wider after the pandemic 
  The gap between the regions of England with the largest and smallest proportions of top grades has widened since exams were last held in 2019.
   
• A-level results: Top grades fall at private schools 
  The proportion of A* grades awarded at A level to private schools has fallen significantly from last year, narrowing the gap with state schools.
   
• A-level results reaction: ‘Education recovery is not done’
  In response to this year’s A-level results, school leaders and experts have urged Ofqual not to remove extra exam support for next year - amid fears of a widening disadvantage gap.
   
• GCSE results day: Exam board strike planned
  Staff at England’s biggest exam board, AQA, are planning a strike on GCSE results day next Thursday over pay. This strike action will follow a walkout on A-level results day this week.
   
• GCSEs and A levels: ‘Unforgivable’ mistakes by exam boards
  Most teachers believe their students’ exam preparations were affected by the errors made by exam boards in supplying advance information ahead of this year’s exams, a Tes poll shows.
   
• A-level results day ‘not pain-free’, says Ucas 
  The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service warned earlier this week that A-level results day would not be easy because of plans to peg back grades towards pre-pandemic levels after grade inflation in 2020 and 2021.

Features

• A-level results: Why exams are ‘critically important’ 
  A-level results day this year was a difficult experience - but the past two years have taught us that exams are fairer than teacher assessment, writes former Department for Education policy adviser Sam Freedman.
   
• How to support A-level students who miss their grades
  One head of sixth form shares advice on what teachers can do to help A-level students disappointed with the results they received this week.
   
• A levels: Tackling the problem of transition to university 
  Many students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, struggle to settle in at university. But here, two school leaders explain the ways in which schools and colleges are working more closely together to reduce the numbers dropping out.
   
• How to make the most of school support staff 
  For a school to be successful, it needs highly motivated support staff - here, one experienced leader shares advice on keeping support staff happy in their jobs.