AoC congratulates Level 2 students and calls for rethink on support for maths and English

Catherine Sezen, Director of Education Policy, Association of Colleges said:

"Congratulations to all the students receiving their GCSE results today, and to the teachers and support staff who have supported them every step of the way. For those who did not get the grades they hoped for, help is at hand; schools and colleges are ready to guide you towards the next step that suits your goals and strengths.

"We also want to celebrate the determination of the 30,000 16 to 18-year-old students who have achieved a grade 4 or above in English and or maths. Their persistence is a real achievement. But we must also reflect on the experience of over 130,000 students who did not reach that benchmark. Across the country, educators are working hard to improve outcomes, yet many are left asking what more can be done.

"After a decade of the condition of funding policy, it is time to rethink how we support young people to build essential English and maths skills. Through the Curriculum and Assessment Review, AoC is calling for a more flexible, evidence-based approach, one that empowers colleges to meet learners’ needs without relying on repeated resits that can undermine confidence and motivation."