The number of students in the UK passing their A-Levels has risen again for the 23rd year running.

The Joint Council for Qualifications said that the pass rate for this year’s A-Levels was 96.2%. However, this was a smaller increase than many had expected – an increase of just 0.2% on last year’s figures. There was also an increase in the number of students scoring ‘A’ grades – a rise of 0.4% to 22.8%.

Girls once again outperformed boys, but the gap between the two is rapidly closing. There was a greater percentage increase in the number of boys achieving ‘A’ grades (0.5%) than girls (0.2%).

The latest results are almost certain to be criticised by those who claim that A-Levels are being ‘dumbed down’.

Ministers have already rejected the Tomlinson review, which proposed replacing A-Levels with a diploma.

Earlier this week, Liberal Democrat education spokesperson Edward Davey said: "It is time to replace A-Levels with new diplomas. By rejecting reform of the A-Level system the Government is burying its head in the sand.

"A-levels now have three fundamental weaknesses: they don't stretch our brightest students; they narrow the studies of many students too early; and they totally ignore the vocational needs of thousands more.”

However, Schools Minister Lord Adonis said: “Today’s results are a reflection of the hard work of our young people and the rising standards of teaching in our schools and colleges. I congratulate both students and teachers on these impressive achievements.”

There have also been criticisms of the subjects pupils are choosing to take at A-Levels. Although there were increases in the number of students taking maths, the biggest increases were in areas such as psychology, media and religious studies, which had the biggest increase in entries, rising 16.9% on 2004’s figures. However, there were decreases in the number of pupils taking sciences, particularly in physics. The number of entrants for modern language subjects also increased slightly, overall, although pupils were opting for languages such as Chinese and Spanish, over the more traditional choices of French and German.

Lord Adonis commented: “I am particularly pleased to see a renaissance in traditional subjects, most notably the strong uptake in AS level Mathematics and Further Maths. Maths and English are the bedrock of our education system and the growing popularity of these subjects is equipping our school leavers with the core skills demanded by employers and universities.

“I welcome the overall improvement in science entries, but the fall in numbers taking Physics is a concern and we will continue to work closely with employers, schools and experts in the field to improve uptake, not least by girls.”

(KMcA/SP)