to give you an idea, 2200 students are taking a—level or btec, that is 1500 a—level or btec, that is were you taking? i did a social care — results. what were you taking? i did a social care course. _ results. what were you taking? i did a social care course. how— results. what were you taking? i did a social care course. how has - results. what were you taking? i did a social care course. how has the i a social care course. how has the last ear a social care course. how has the last year been? _ a social care course. how has the last year been? more _ a social care course. how has the last year been? more people - a social care course. how has the last year been? more people are | last year been? more people are getting a star. it is easy to forget that you really have had a disrupted study period. we that you really have had a disrupted study period-— study period. we had to work independently _ study period. we had to work independently at _ study period. we had to work independently at home. - study period. we had to work independently at home. how| study period. we had to work.

courses and we have _ sciences, to btec courses and we have sports — sciences, to btec courses and were delighted. really good to talk to you. thank you _ so we are delighted. really good to talk to you. thank you for - so we are delighted. really good to talk to you. thank you for having i talk to you. thank you for having us. it has been some 18 months and i'm sure you're looking forward to normality once the school year kicks off again. i normality once the school year kicks off a . ain. ~ normality once the school year kicks off a . ain. ,, ., normality once the school year kicks off aaain. ~ ., ., off again. i think we all are. across northern _ off again. i think we all are. across northern ireland, i off again. i think we all are. - across northern ireland, nearly 51% of a—level entries achieved at the top a* grades. to give your comparison last year, 45% the year before that, 2019, 30 2%. at as—level, about 74% were achieving a grades a or b grades. so very much to be happy about. grades a or b grades. so very much to be happy about-— to be happy about. thank you very much ind

more people doing btecs than a—levels.as been for you. yes, like no other frankly. due to the _ has been for you. yes, like no other frankly. due to the fact _ has been for you. yes, like no other frankly. due to the fact we've - has been for you. yes, like no other frankly. due to the fact we've just . frankly. due to the fact we�*ve just got a fantastic set of staff here, they�*ve all pulled together and really driven forward to come up with what we�*ve ended up with today which is the end of the academic year. which is the end of the academic ear. ., ., , ., which is the end of the academic ear. ., ., ., ., ., .,~ year. how have you managed to take the thin . s year. how have you managed to take the things that _ year. how have you managed to take the things that are _ year. how have you managed to take the things that are very _ year. how have you managed to take the things that are very hands-on - year. how have you managed to take the things that are very hands-on in | the things that are very hands—on in the things

being a btec, we kind of do know what we have got compared to, obviously, a—levels.think that a—levels and gcses are too easy, and my experience is that they're not, really. this year, grades will be higher overall. that�*s because they�*re based on teacher assessments of several pieces of work. it�*s completely different from a normal exam year, where some students would always have a bad day and do less well than expected. schools are being asked to make their own decisions... jon coles was a top adviser on england�*s grading system, but he resigned. today, he told me his concerns about a—level grade inflation. last year, we know they went up a lot, about a quarter of a—level grades are a and a�* in a normal year. last year, it was very nearly 40%. ithink, this year, we've been expecting it to be higher. i wouldn't be surprised if we saw 45—50% of a—level grades graded a to a�*. for teachers, working out grades has been a hugejob. the principal at this college says you have to accept it�*s different from exams. it will be slightly higher. i think it�*s about 4% hig

many students also picking up their btec results. _ students also picking up their btec results, thoseay to university. the education _ common pathway to university. the education minister in the devolved government, michelle michael dean of the democratic unionist party, has braised _ the democratic unionist party, has praised the resilience of pupils in these _ praised the resilience of pupils in these exceptional times, and she says the — these exceptional times, and she says the high grades awarded have reflected _ says the high grades awarded have reflected their hard work over these last two _ reflected their hard work over these last two difficult years. pupils already had their results here _ pupils already had their results here in— pupils already had their results here in scotland. _ pupils already had their results here in scotland. today- pupils already had their results here in scotland. today it - pupils already had their results here in scotland. today it wasl pupils already had their results i here in scotland. today it was the formal _ here in scotland. today it was th

these sixth former will get their a—level and btec results.worried about if the university i want to go to, what if they have too many students, too many people got the right grades? because that might mean i have to take a gap year or something else. it's been stressful. exams cancelled, teachers marking work instead. in the back of my head, i know that i did everything i could to get the grade that i want and the grades that i need, but obviously, until i see the results, i will be nervous. being a btec, we do know what we have got compared to obviously a—levels. and worries about how their grades will be seen. if there is a big jump, as there is expected to be with our grades this year, that's really going to exacerbate the issue, that lots of people think that a—levels and gcses are too easy, and my experience is that they are not, really. this year, grades will be higher overall. that's because they are based on teacher assessments of several pieces of work. it's completely different from a normal exam year, when some students will always

that it's a direct relationship between the education people get, whether they are gcses, a—levels, btecand their likelihood of doing well in higher education and industry in the world of work, i think it is a massive gap on the ground at education, than obviously the government cannot be said to be leveling up in the way that is promised in the 2019 general election. ~ ., ~ promised in the 2019 general election. ~ . ~ ., , election. we will talk about this in the next review, _ election. we will talk about this in the next review, but _ election. we will talk about this in the next review, but i _ election. we will talk about this in the next review, but i want to - election. we will talk about this in i the next review, but i want to move on to the telegraph and get a comment from each of you briefly. the world health organization inquiry chief points a finger at pat infection in wuhan lab, saying the chinese need to come clean. the? infection in wuhan lab, saying the chinese need to come clean. they are because as they _ chinese need to come clean. they are because as they turn _ chin

you could do btec and level— a—levels. you could do btec and level one. — a—levels.ption are the new t levels _ well. the other option are the new t levels this — well. the other option are the new t levels. this is between a btec and an apprenticeship where you do a mixture _ an apprenticeship where you do a mixture of— an apprenticeship where you do a mixture of learning within a classroom and on—the—job learning as well. classroom and on—the—job learning as well it— classroom and on—the—job learning as well it is— classroom and on—the—job learning as well. it is through an industry placement and you will have a placement and you will have a placement for up to 45 days where you can _ placement for up to 45 days where you can gain valuable work experience. you can also have the option— experience. you can also have the option of— experience. you can also have the option of doing a traineeship. if you are — option of doing a traineeship. if you are an— option of doing a traineeship. if you are an individual that has really— you are an individual that has really stru

that it's a direct relationship between the education people get, whether they are gcses, a—levels, btec election. we will talk about this in the next review, _ election. we will talk about this in the next review, but _ election. we will talk about this in the next review, but i _ election. we will talk about this in the next review, but i want to - election. we will talk about this in i the next review, but i want to move on to the telegraph and get a comment from each of you briefly. the world health organization inquiry chief points a finger at pat infection in wuhan lab, saying the chinese need to come clean. thea;r infection in wuhan lab, saying the chinese need to come clean.

, child they could go into a job or go on to further training after doing a btec.ty of esteem with a—levels, why that still necessary? i a parity of esteem with a-levels, why that still necessary?- why that still necessary? i think that the new — why that still necessary? i think that the new skills _ why that still necessary? i think that the new skills that - why that still necessary? i think that the new skills that the - that the new skills that the t—levels will give will help and enhance opportunities for students for progression into university and employment. you for progression into university and employment-— for progression into university and employment. you think it is a good thing overall? _ employment. you think it is a good thing overall? absolutely, - employment. you think it is a good thing overall? absolutely, entirely| thing overall? absolutely, entirely academic and _ thing overall? absolutely, entirely academic and very _ thing overall? absolutely, entirely academic and very vocational. - academic and very vocational. learners are in the workp

dylan got a distinction merit in his btec despite cancer treatment. sorry!t he's gone through over the last four years with his leukaemia, he deserves it. really happy that i'm getting to go to scarborough, - while top grades in some vocational qualifications are slightly up, the big leap has been in a—levels. what matters to students getting results today is what they do next in life — going into work, an apprenticeship, or getting a place at university. the system this year has been designed to give them grades that will make sure they can go on to those next steps, but the price of that, it seems, is a boom in top grades. a—level grades this year across the uk are based on teacher assessments, from lurgan in northern ireland to wales, where students got provisional grades injune. but there was no attempt to hold back rising grades with an algorithm. how can i help? there were some courses in clearing at newcastle today, but universities are having to choose carefully between top grade students. a—level grades are not the only thing that determines this. t

but btec students and those getting other vocational qualifications hadn't seen their results beforel but the second term was entirely online because we were in proper lockdown then, that was different, because it is a very practical course, so we were doing acting on zoom and that, and it was applying to drama school, i had to record my monologues and do online auditions. top grades were already higher last year after results being settled by teachers and this year, there's has been another hike, almost half of all grades are a* and a, compared to a quarter in 2019. those in charge of the system say this years' pupils have achieved in very challenging circumstances. the percentage of top grades is up significantly, are you worried that some people might not consider them to be as robust? there has been an increase in the number of top grades but that is a broadly consistent picture with other parts of the uk, the picture in wales is comparable to the level of increase year on year. but the question is, do we have a system in which we can all have confidence, which has reflected the

we have had a—level results, gcse results, btec results, what have we learned. , ., ~ ., learned.here _ learned. george, i think for most families there will _ learned. george, i think for most families there will be _ learned. george, i think for most families there will be an - families there will be an overwhelming sense of relief that, after a very difficult year, with students struggling at home, with online learning, with all of the digital problems that they have faced, most have now got the results that they need to go on to their next steps of education or training. that, in turn, will have given a little bit of private relief to ministers across the uk, after the chaos and u—turns that we saw last year. but next year, with the return of exams, there are big questions. already, thoughts are turning to how they need to be modified. many of they need to be modified. many of the students who will be facing gcses and a—levels, national, hires in scotland next year, will also have missed substantial amounts. and exams are going to have to take account of that. and the pandemic

dylan ot a got a distinction merit in his btec despite cancer treatment.erything? " z "ju'sié5eryti1i'ng'i1e' 5 "ju'si;5eryti1iag'i1e'has z "ju'si;5eryti1ifig'i1e'has come yeah, just everything he has come through in the past four years with his leukaemia, he deserves it. really that i'm to really happy that i'm to scarborough. that is the one i've been _ scarborough. that is the one i've been focused on getting to. while to rades been focused on getting to. while top grades in _ been focused on getting to. while top grades in some _ been focused on getting to. em ie top grades in some vocational qualifications are slightly the qualifications are slightly up, the big leap a—levels. what qualifications are slightly up, the big leap to a—levels. what qualifications are slightly up, the big leap to students a—levels. what qualifications are slightly up, the big leap to students getting 5. what qualifications are slightly up, the big leap to students getting results in life, today is what they do next in life, going to work, an or going to work, an apprenticesh

today they had them confirmed. 230,000 btec students also received their level three results. which is pretty good. with high numbers of students applying to universities and getting grades, there is concern this could put pressure on places. we know from last year that universities and colleges were super flexible. so where they can expand capacity, that is what they will be looking at doing. who are looking at clearing, they can have a choice from 2pm today. there are plenty of courses. nearly 30,000 courses available. i've got three a stars. fantastic! back in loughborough, these students are celebrating. just massive, massive relief. we were really stressed the last nine minutes. you want to get it over and done with. i'm really pleased i've done well. it all feels worth it now. they may not have sat traditional exams but showing resilience throughout the pandemic has been one of the toughest tests. elaine dunkley, bbc news. we will take you to new york where governor andrew cuomo is addressing the people of new york after being accused of sexual harassment by a number of

dylan got a distinction merit in his btec despite cancer treatment. sorry!m getting to go to scarborough. that is the one i've been focused on getting to. while top grades in some vocational qualifications are slightly up, the big leap has been in a—levels. what matters to students getting results today is what they do next in life, going to work, an apprenticeship or getting a place at university. the system this year has been designed to give them the grades that will make sure they can go on to those next steps. but the price of that it seems is a boom in top grades. a—level grades this year across the uk are based on teacher assessments. from lurgan in northern ireland to wales where students got provisional grades in june. but there was no attempt to hold back rising grades with an algorithm. there were some courses in clearing at newcastle today. but universities are having to choose carefully between top—grade students. a—level grades are not the only thing that determines this. their own interests of the student matters a lot, what they say in a pers

dylan got a distinction merit in his btec despite cancer treatment. sorry!rves it. really happy that i'm getting to go to scarborough. - to go to scarborough, cos it's the one that i've been focused on getting to. - while top grades in some vocational qualifications are slightly up, the big leap has been in a—levels. what matters to students getting results today is what they do next in life — going into work, an apprenticeship or getting a place at university. the system this year has been designed to give them grades that will make sure they can go on to those next steps, but the price of that, it seems, is a boom in top grades. a—level grades this year across the uk are based on teacher assessments, from lurgan in northern ireland to wales, where students got provisional grades injune. but there was no attempt to hold back rising grades with an algorithm. there were some courses in clearing at newcastle today, but universities are having to choose carefully between top grade students. a—level grades are not the only thing that determines this. in their pe

molly has done a btec in business.ep—grandad and my dad in may and june, so, yeah, it'sjust been, like, really tough. anything for me, just being a pass is going to, like, really make me obviously happy, but if i get anything better than a pass, then — considering the year i've had — i'm going to be extremely happy with myself. these students have studied through nearly two years of disruption. in turbulent times, success is all the sweeter. elaine dunkley, bbc news. our political correspondent nick eardley is at westminster. the idea of inequality being baked in his labour's charge, and it seems to have widened in terms of that gap- to have widened in terms of that gap. once the government response to that? the gap. once the government response to that? ., ., ., that? the government would argue that? the government would argue that this is a _ that? the government would argue that this is a unique _ that? the government would argue that this is a unique year _ that? the government would argue that this is a unique yea

molly is doing a btec in business.he's one of hundreds of thousands of students who will receive gcse and vocational qualifications today. the pandemic hasn'tjust had an impact on her education, it's brought personal tragedy and loss. unfortunately, i lost my step grandad and my dad in may and june, so, yeah, it's just been really tough. anything for mejust being a pass is going to, like, really make me obviously happy but if i get anything better than a pass, considering the year i've had, i'm going to be extremely happy with myself. replacing traditional exams with teacher—assessed grades has brought many challenges and some criticism. last year saw a record rise in pupils getting top grades in their gcses. but this head teacher says talk of further grade inflation this year is unhelpful. they sat a number of assessments that had to show a typicality of their performance over all of those assessments and over a wider body of work as well. i think, to take anything away from our young people today is unfair and it dis

gcse pupils they will have a range of options to go on to at college or sixth form, whether doing btec and why many people support this idea is if you look at predicted grades there is some research that suggests for example pooler or disadvantaged pupils get lower predicted grades and their actual results are better so this could potentially pave the way in the longer term towards a fairer application process for universities. this is one of the changes brought about as a direct result of the pandemic. are there any similar changes that might be kept on beyond the pandemic? for example having assessments focus less than exams? —— less on exams? across the uk ministers of indicated its is their intention to go back to exams and next summer. there will be modifications and we expect more details on how exactly that will work in its subject in the early autumn. there have been consultations carried out appropriate so there is a recognition students have missed a huge amount with all the destruction of the last year so the exams will probably slimmed down next year. there has been discuss

molly has done a btec in business.and my dad in may and june, so yeah, it'sjust been, like, really tough. anything for me, just being a pass is going to, like, really make me obviously happy, but if i get anything better than a pass, then — considering the year i've had — i'm going to be extremely happy with myself. these students have studied through nearly two years of disruption. in turbulent times, success is all the sweeter. elaine dunkley, bbc news. our correspondent simon ward is at south nottinghamshire academy in radcliffe—on—trent. simon. there has been lots of happy faces here today, _ simon. there has been lots of happy faces here today, as _ simon. there has been lots of happy faces here today, as well. _ simon. there has been lots of happy faces here today, as well. much - simon. there has been lots of happy faces here today, as well. much of i faces here today, as well. much of the national talk over gcses has been about that grade inflation and they have seen that here, although not as much as last year

now, this is where the rest of their career begins, where they confirm their choices of a—levels and btecsing but its been testament to their_ challenging but its been testament to their hard work and also the staff's— to their hard work and also the staff's hard work. it's been a real 'oy staff's hard work. it's been a real joy and _ staff's hard work. it's been a real joy and it — staff's hard work. it's been a real joy and it feels a little bit like we are — joy and it feels a little bit like we are getting back to something like normal. we are getting back to something like normal-— we are getting back to something like normal. absolutely, we could all do with — like normal. absolutely, we could all do with some _ like normal. absolutely, we could all do with some of _ like normal. absolutely, we could all do with some of that. - like normal. absolutely, we could all do with some of that. the - all do with some of that. the schools have been calculating the grade this year, the last full set of exams took place two years ago now, so what has that process been like? , , , now, so what h