More A-level students in Suffolk achieved the highest grade in 2024 compared to the previous year, but the figures remain well below pandemic-era results.
The big picture: The latest figures from the exams regulator, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, show that 6.2% of Suffolk's 8,965 A-level pupils received at least one A* grade last year, up from 6.1% in 2023.
However, this is significantly lower than the 16.9% who achieved top marks during the pandemic when teacher assessments replaced exams.
Why it matters: The results show a stabilisation in grades following the return to traditional exams, but could highlight the lasting impact of pandemic disruptions on education.
By the numbers:
8,965 pupils took A-levels in Suffolk last year
6.2% of Suffolk students achieved at least one A* in 2024
Yes, but: Suffolk underperformed slightly when compared to the national average, where 9% of pupils achieved an A* grade.
What they're saying: Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson congratulated students, telling Times Radio: "They've been through an awful lot in recent years, and they've shown tremendous resilience."
Between the lines: The pandemic's impact on education continues to be felt, particularly among disadvantaged students.
Pepe Di'Iasio, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, said: "While the dark days of the pandemic are in the past, its legacy continues to haunt us, as many of these students experienced severe disruption to their education."
The bottom line: While Suffolk's A-level results show a slight improvement, they reflect broader national trends of stabilising grades and ongoing challenges in the education system post-pandemic.
