Commenting on the suggestion by Professor Alan Smithers, director of the Centre for Education and Employment Research at the University of Buckingham, that fewer students could get their first choice universities this year due to predicted lower A Level grades, Sarah Hannafin, senior policy advisor for school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“We know that nationally exam results are due to be lower overall this year than last year. It’s important that universities are flexible, take into account the disruption this year’s students have experienced and work with them to get them on the right courses and paths for their futures.”