ASE offers our congratulations to all students who have now received their A-Level, AS-Level, Scottish Highers and Nationals, and BTec or equivalent vocational or technical Level 3 qualifications. We recognise the huge efforts of our members – science teachers, leaders and technicians – in supporting and preparing students for their assessments. We wish all those embarking on the next stage of their careers the very best of luck. 

What’s made the news… 

The main headlines reported through UK media include: 

• Increases in the A* and A grades for A levels, which are up from last year (9.3% A* vs 8.6% last year) and assurances from Ofqual that there is no grade inflation and that the increased numbers of top grades are down to student attainment levels. 
• A drop in A-C pass rates for Scottish Highers compared to 2023, with a widening attainment gap for disadvantaged students 
• Regional differences in performance of A levels with an increase in the gap in performance between higher grades in the south of England to the rest of the country and falling pass rates in Wales (A*-C in 2024 was 76.5% down from 78.9% in 2023, however it was 76.3% pre pandemic) and top grades down in NI (A*-C rate 85.1% down from 87.3% in 2023 but slightly up on pre pandemic 85%). 
• Gaps between state and private school performance for A levels which has also increased. 
• High rates of acceptance from Higher Education institutions with most 18 year olds accepted to their top choice university, and more students from disadvantaged backgrounds achieving a place than previously. 

Performance of science subjects 

There has been some good news for STEM subjects, with biology, chemistry and physics all in the top ten most popular A level subjects* this year. Mathematics entries topped 100,000 for the first time, and there has been and an increase of 12.3% in the number of entries for A level Physics this year. However, there are some caveats to this good news as highlighted by the headlines above and through a more detailed look at the growth in numbers. 

Analysis by FFT Education Data Lab shows that the gender gap is still a challenge. Whilst the % increase in A level Physics uptake is proportionally the same for male and female students, because of the existing imbalance, this means that the numbers are largely made up of male students and that gender gap is still maintained. 

Addressing inequalities

As highlighted in the media coverage there are regional and state and private school performance differences which illustrate that much work is still needed to address inequalities in access and attainment. 

As the national picture continues to show differences in achievement and uptake in science, we encourage schools to analyse their results to identify groups that are under-represented in science post-16, or underperform and reflect on how you are supporting them. For example considering how you represent scientists, do students know what career opportunities a science education can offer, how do you make science learning relevant to their everyday lives?

ASE is pleased to offer support to all teachers via our Included:Primary and Included:Consultancy programmes. We are committed to supporting teachers to make positive changes to classroom practice, learning environments and curriculum to help ensure that every student feels that science could be for them.

* The ten most popular A level subjects in terms of entries in 2024 are: mathematics (107,427), psychology (78,556), biology (74,367), chemistry (62,583), history (47,297), business studies (44,961), sociology (44,359), art and design subjects (43,668), physics (43,114) and economics (40,451).