England A-level results show growing regional disparity following pandemic

LONDON, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) -- This year's A-level results revealed widened regional inequalities in England when compared to the pre-COVID-19 pandemic year of 2019, with students from less advantaged backgrounds believed to have been more negatively impacted by factors such as the pandemic.

Data by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) showed that in England, the proportion of students gaining A and above declined in the North East region and Yorkshire and the Humber region compared to 2019, while other regions, with London in particular, increased.

"There are significant regional differences in attainment," said Sir Peter Lampl, founder and chairman of the educational charity Sutton Trust, adding that this situation was "in line with patterns of regional prosperity."

"The overall picture today is one of growing disparity between the most and least well-off young people," Lampl said.

The Sutton Trust said in an analysis that disadvantaged young people were "more heavily affected" by the COVID-19 pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis, both of which contributed to the widening regional inequalities.

In the meantime, the gap between private and state schools was also wider than in 2019.

According to Ofqual figures, the percentage of candidates achieving grades of A or above at independent schools increased by 2.6 percentage points to 47.4 percent, whereas the same figures in the state-funded comprehensive schools and academies rose by 1.9 percentage points to 22 percent and by 1.4 percentage points to 25.4 percent, respectively.

"Young people should rightly be proud of their achievements, but these inequalities show that too many did not have a fair chance to fulfill their potential," said the analysis.

Short for the General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level, A-level is a subject-based school-leaving qualification for students completing secondary or pre-university education in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.