Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders' union NAHT, said: “Congratulations to all students receiving their results for A Levels, T Levels, BTECs and other vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) today. These grades are the result of a huge amount of hard work by both students and school and college staff and enable young people to move on to the next stage on their path, whether that is further study, an apprenticeship, training or employment.

“While A level grades are slightly higher this year, they are a genuine reflection of the hard work and attainment of young people and their teachers. We have a robust and regulated system of exams, and the checks and balances within the system mean we can be confident that the grades awarded are fully deserved.

“It’s important to remember that the current A Level specifications were newly rolled out shortly before Covid, which was of course a massive interruption to their ‘settling in’. This is the third year post-pandemic that these A Level exams have been sat, and it is natural that teachers will have got better at understanding the requirements and mark schemes and at preparing students to sit these specific exams.

“Although it is positive to see the increase in students studying maths at A level, entries to English decreased and the subject is noticeably absent from the top ten subjects. Students’ experience of the subject at GCSE is likely having a negative impact on their choices post-16, and the wide criticisms of GCSE English must be addressed if this is to change.

“As we look ahead to the Curriculum and Assessment Review recommendations, which are due to be published in the autumn term, we hope their focus will be on encouraging a flexible qualification landscape that meets a diverse range of student needs and prepares young people for life beyond school or college. NAHT have called for a reduction in the content of A levels to allow deeper understanding and more meaningful engagement, as well as less of a reliance on terminal exams and more variety in assessment.

“We also want to see an improvement in T levels, with action taken to address student dissatisfaction, as well as the continued investment in a broader range of technical routes, and for RSHE to be extended to 16–19 learners.”