Independent schools see decline in top grades

Independent schools have seen a decline in the proportion of pupils achieving A*-A grades, which fell from 49.3 per cent to 48.7 per cent over the last year, according to figures from the Independent Schools Council (ISC).

Despite the 0.6 per cent drop, the proportion of independent school pupils achieving top grades is still almost double the national average of 25.8 per cent.

75.2 per cent of all exams were graded at B or higher and the percentage of pupils achieving ABB, the benchmark for many top University places, remained stable at 55.5 per cent.

Barnaby Lenon, chairman of the ISC, said: "A concerted effort to halt grade inflation in recent years has seen the top grades both nationally and in independent schools level off and fall slightly, so it is encouraging to see the headline A* and A figure remain solid.

"Of particular note is the number of students achieving ABB grades, which will see many of them moving on to the university of his or her choice, a high number to the top institutions.

"Importantly, the actual grades achieved remain impressively high. ISC schools focus strongly on the 'facilitating' subjects which are much prized by top universities. In 2015 our schools had record levels of entry to Russell Group universities and we expect this trend to continue"