Pupils braced for A-level results

LONDON (Reuters) - Thousands of sixth-form pupils who receive their A-level results on Thursday should be spared the annual jibes that exams are getting easier, student and teaching leaders said.

The National Union of Students said results have improved because pupils and teachers are working harder and not because tests have been "dumbed down" to boost pass rates.

NUS Vice President Beth Walker said school-leavers are worried they won't be able to repay graduate debt unless they get good results and go to the best possible university.

"We seem incapable of celebrating the educational achievements of students," she said. "They are all too aware that they will face tough competition at every stage of their academic and working careers.

"Young people are increasingly savvy and recognise that the right skills and experience could enable them to secure a job with good pay and prospects."

The University and College Union, which represents 120,000 academics and other staff, said pupils should ignore the "doomsayers sniping from the sidelines with their annual rant about falling standards".

"Today should be about celebrating the achievements and hard work of students and teachers," said UCU chief Sally Hunt.

About 250,000 A-level students will receive the results that help determine whether they win a place at university.

Ken Boston, head of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, which oversees the system, said better teachers had helped to raise standards.