The A-level results published on the 20th of August show that one-in-two privately educated pupils scored the top A grade. However, the proportion of state school pupils who were awarded an A grade is 30 per cent lower, with just one in five scoring an A. 

With increasing A-level pass rates and increasing demand for higher education in a recession, tens of thousands of students will lose out on university places after student numbers were capped to avoid budget deficits. Wes Streeting, president of the National Union of Students, expressed concerns about the A level performance from state school students and the implications for those from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds: "I have no doubt that the combination of factors we're seeing of a crunch on places, increased A grades dominated by private schools, and up to 40,000 losing out on the places will have a disproportionate impact on students from disadvantaged backgrounds