Exploring Regional Disparity in England’s A-Level Results: A Deep Dive into the 2024 Data
As another academic year comes to a close, students across England eagerly await the results of their A-level exams. The culmination of years of hard work and dedication, A-level results day can be a nerve-wracking experience for many. This year, however, the news is largely positive, with a record number of students achieving impressive grades across the board. Let’s delve into the data from this year’s A-level results and explore the trends and patterns that have emerged.
Maths Entries Reach Record Levels
A-level maths has long been a popular subject among students in England, and this year saw an unprecedented number of pupils sitting the exam. With over 100,000 students taking the maths A-level, it marked the first time any subject had surpassed the 100k barrier. Additionally, further maths saw a significant increase in student numbers, with 17,000 pupils opting to take the subject, representing a 20% growth compared to the previous year.
In addition to maths, there were notable increases in other STEM subjects such as physics, as well as computing and other sciences. These subjects attracted between 11% and 13% more pupils this year, reflecting a growing interest in STEM disciplines among A-level students.
Chart: The Most Popular 12 Subjects Over the Past Seven Years
Despite the record numbers in maths and other STEM subjects, there were no new entries into the top 10 most popular subjects. However, there was some movement within the rankings, with history climbing to fifth place and displacing sociology, which saw a 6.5% drop in student numbers compared to the previous year. Physics also made gains, moving into ninth place and pushing economics into tenth place.
STEM Subjects and Social Sciences Make Further Gains
STEM subjects, encompassing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, have traditionally been the most popular subject grouping among A-level students. However, there has been a steady increase in the proportion of students choosing social sciences over the past decade. This subject group includes economics, geography, law, sociology, and psychology, among others.
In 2024, 37.1% of exams taken were STEM-related, representing over 300,000 exams and marking the highest combined figure since at least 2010. On the other hand, social sciences accounted for 32.5% of all papers taken this year, reflecting a growing interest in these disciplines among A-level students.
Chart: Changes in the Most Popular Subjects Over the Past Seven Years
The rise in social sciences has been accompanied by a decline in humanities subjects, which include languages, history, and religious and classical studies. Although there was a slight increase in the number of students taking French and other languages this year, humanities accounted for just 17.5% of exams taken, indicating a waning interest in these subjects among A-level students.
The arts, including music, drama, and design and technology, also saw a decline in student numbers, reaching their lowest level since at least 2011. Jack Gamble, the director of the Campaign for the Arts, expressed concern over this trend, emphasizing the importance of supporting and funding the arts to ensure better outcomes for children and young people.
Mind the (Independent Schools) Gap
One of the notable disparities in A-level results in England is the gap between private-school pupils and their state-school counterparts. In recent years, there has been a noticeable difference in the grades awarded to students from independent schools compared to those from further education colleges.
In 2020 and 2021, when teacher-assessed grades were used due to the Covid crisis, and in 2022, when exams returned with more generous marking, there was a significant gap between the best-performing independent schools and the worst-performing further education colleges. Independent schools, including city technology colleges, consistently outperformed other types of schools.
Private v State Schools
Independent schools continue to be the top performers in A-level results, with close to half of their exam entries resulting in an A* or A grade in 2024. This marked a 4.6-percentage-point increase compared to 2019. Grammar schools achieved the second-highest marks, with 41% of grades being an A* or A, followed by free schools and academies.
While all regions in England saw improvements in A-level results compared to previous years, the geographical divide between the best-performing and worst-performing regions persists. London registered the highest increase in A* and A grades, with 31.3% of all grades meeting this criteria, followed by the West Midlands with a 24.8% increase.
Chart: Attainment Gap Between Regions for A-Level Results
Despite the overall improvements in A-level results across the country, the gap between regions remains significant. London, as the best-performing region, outshines the East Midlands, the worst-performing region, by 8.8 percentage points. This gap is the highest recorded since at least 2019, highlighting the ongoing disparities in educational outcomes across England.
An Able Cohort
In summary, the 2024 A-level cohort in England has demonstrated exceptional academic abilities. With one in every 11 grades being an A* this year, students have achieved impressive results across the board. While there were concerns about grade inflation, the results have shown a more balanced distribution of grades, with more students achieving higher marks and fewer receiving lower grades.
Ian Bauckham, the chief regulator of Ofqual, emphasized that the changes in this year’s results were largely due to the abilities of the cohort, rather than grade inflation. The 2024 A-level cohort has proven themselves to be a bright and capable group of students, showcasing their academic prowess and dedication to their studies.
As we reflect on the trends and patterns in this year’s A-level results, it is clear that there is much to celebrate in the achievements of students across England. The record numbers in maths and STEM subjects, the rise of social sciences, and the ongoing disparities between schools and regions all provide valuable insights into the state of education in the country. Class dismissed, but the lessons learned from this year’s A-level results will continue to inform and shape educational policies and practices in the years to come.
