A++ grade 'helps private schools'

Extra questions would be attempted by gifted candidates

Creating A+ and A++ grades at A-level will favour private school pupils applying to university, a study says.

The extra divisions were recommended for England in plans to overhaul the education of 14 to 19-year-olds.

A University of Cambridge Local Examination Syndicate study of 50,000 A-level results this year found private pupils achieved 56% of A grades.

But they had 70% of the very highest marks, which universities could use to distinguish between able candidates.

Harder questions

A Ucles spokesman confirmed the figures, obtained by the Times Educational Supplement, but said the investigation of A-level grades was ongoing.

Ucles analysed the OCR exam board's results for this study.

It introduced a hypothetical 520 marks out of 600 for an A+ grade and 560 for an A++.

The proportion of these grades awarded to private school pupils was higher than that for A grades in every subject.

Universities have long complained that the current system leaves them unable to choose between the best candidates.

This year, a fifth of A-level entries - a record proportion - was awarded A grades.

Mike Tomlinson, who has led a review into the education of 14 to 19-year-olds in England, has recommended adding extra, more difficult, questions for high-ability students.

If successful, they could be awarded an A+ or A++ in the advanced level of the diploma - equivalent to current A-levels and extension awards.

This, he said, would help remove a "glass ceiling" on aspirations and allow "scholarship to flourish".

Dick Davison, director of communications at the Independent Schools Council, said: "The findings are not surprising. Independent schools offer very high quality education."

Of the proposed higher grades, he added: "If they were genuinely a way of demonstrating achievement and ability, we would welcome them."

Ministers are looking at Mr Tomlinson's proposals and are due to publish a white paper next year.