A ‘glide path’ to pre-Covid: why A-level grades are lower in England this year

England’s decision to ‘disinflate’ A-level grades in just two years is in contrast to the more gentle approach taken in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Getty Images

Why have A-level grades fallen this year?

The sharp drop in grades in A-level results in England this year has little to do with this particular cohort’s ability. It is, instead, the result of a government strategy to get A-level results back to pre-pandemic levels, after the soaring grade inflation of the Covid years.