2023 A Level outcomes

This was the second set of examinations following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the first which could be described as 'normal'.

However, the circumstances faced by Year 13 students were definitely not normal.  In addition to the disruption to their school caused by the pandemic lockdowns, they had not had the experience of sitting GCSEs due to the cancellation of the 2021 examinations and their replacement by 'Teacher Assessed Grades' based on a range of internal assessment taken over time.

We were therefore very pleased that the grades awarded to Year 13 students were as follows:

Key indicator	2023 results
% A* grades	20.6%
% A/A* grades	53.0%
% A*-B grades	76.4%
% A*-C grades	89.8%

At national level, the proportion of students achieving top A level grades fell sharply this year because the grading system has been adjusted so that the distribution of grades in England is similar to that in 2019. This adjustment is a return to normality after the pandemic which necessitated the use of different approaches to grading in 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The table below shows the outcomes for Langley Grammar School under these different processes across 2018 to 2023.  
 

Outcomes measure	2018 Normal exams	2019 Normal exams	2020 Centre assessed grades (CAGs)	2021 Teacher assessed grades (TAGs)	2022 Modified examinations	2023 Normal exams
A*-E grades	99.1%	99.4%	100.0%	100.0%	99.4%	98.6%
A*-C grades	89.5%	87.5%	96.2%	92.1%	94.0%	89.8%
A*-B grades	71.2%	67.3%	81.3%	79.4%	85.4%	76.4%
A*/A grades	35.6%	36.7%	57.4%	57.6%	71.7%	53.0%
A* grades	9.8%	8.5%	20.1%	23.7%	34.6%	20.6%

 

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2022 A Level outcomes

This was the first set of examinations following the COVID-19 pandemic, and Year 13 students had not had the experience of sitting their GCSEs due to the cancellation of the 2020 examinations. 

The grades awarded to Year 13 students were as follows:

Key indicator	2022 results
% A* grades	34.6%
% A/A* grades	71.7%
% A*-B grades	85.4%
% A*-C grades	94.0%

Results for previous years are given below.  Direct comparisons should be treated with caution because of the different methods of assessment and the national statistical manipulation to return the overall grade profile to 2019 levels over two years. However, was is very pleasing to see that the proportion of top grades achieved by LGS students increased against 2021 and very significantly against the 2019 examination-based results. 

These excellent results enabled the great majority of students to take up their preferred university places or to pursue other paths such as higher level apprenticeships. They had shown enormous resilience and determination, and we wish them every success as they pursue their future studies, training and career choices. 

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2021 A Level outcomes

The 2021 A Level examinations were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Year 13 students in 2021 received A Level grades based on Teacher Assessment Grades (TAGs) for each subject. 

The TAGs we submitted were in line with our Centre Policy, which was approved by the exam boards. We also had to send a sample of our evidence and grading to the exam boards as part of quality assurance check.

The grades awarded to Year 13 students through this process were as follows:

Key indicator	2021 final grades
% A/A* grades	57.6%
% A*-B grades	79.4%
% A*-C grades	92.1%

These outcomes have not been used by the Department for Education for accountability purposes and will not feature in the school performance tables. 

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2020 A Level outcomes

The 2020 A Level examinations were cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Students in 2020 received A Level grades which were the higher of their Centre Assessment Grade or the examination board's Calculated Grade for each subject. For an explanation of how these grades were awarded, please click here.

The grades awarded to Year 13 students through this process were as follows:

Key indicator	2020 final grades
% A/A* grades	57.4%
% A*-B grades	81.3%
% A*-C grades	96.2%

These outcomes have not been used by the Department for Education for accountability purposes and will not feature in the school performance tables. 

 

2019 A Level results

Across the country as the proportion of A and A* grades awarded fell to their lowest level since 2007,  students at Langley Grammar School bucked the national trend and managed to achieve a higher proportion of the top grades than last year, maintaining the school's high standards and the reputation of its excellent Sixth Form.

A total of 153 students sat over 460 A Level examinations between them. Over 35% of exams taken resulted in grades A* or A and 66% of entries achieved grades A*-B, while the school's overall pass rate (A*-E grades) rose to 99.4% Twenty-six students (nearly a fifth of the year group) gained A* or A grades across all their subjects.

These excellent results enabled the great majority of students to take up their preferred university places or to pursue other paths such as higher level apprenticeships. 

When the Department for Education releases validated post-16 performance data in January 2020, we will provide a link to the updated page on the Compare School Performance website.

DfE School Performance Information (A Levels)

Comparative information about progress in Slough schools can be found through the following link:

DfE Performance Tables - local area

 

What value do we add?

Gaining good grades at A Level is very important - the grades are the key to 'opening doors' in terms of accessing higher education courses.  However, students completing A Level programmes have come from very different backgrounds in terms of their prior achievement at GCSE.  Some students have almost all A* grades;  others may have a consistent set of B grades across their subjects. What is important is the value we have added based on their starting points - how well have Langley Grammar School students done compared to others with similar academic backgrounds?

We measure the value added using a system called ALPS - A Level Performance System.  Essentially this is a large database of A-Level results drawn from over 1500 schools and colleges and covering 75% of students taking A Levels. The ALPS system provides us with a number of indicators which can help us analyse how our students have performed.

Each ALPS indicator has a benchmark 'thermometer'. The thermometer is created by taking scores achieved by every school and college and ranking these from best (top) to worst (bottom). The numbers running down the centre of the thermometers show the ALPS grades running from 1 (best) to 9 (worst).

An overall ALPS 'T Score' of grade 5 means students do no better or worse than they would do in any other school - they perform 'as expected' for their ability.  For many years we have consistently secured ALPS grade 2 or 3 'Excellent', scoring between the 75th and 89th percentile.   

Over three years Langley Grammar School has therefore consistently performed in the top 15% of schools and colleges for value added, meaning that students perform significantly better than the average for their already high academic background. This doesn't just happen - it is the result of good teaching and excellent support for the students during their time in the Sixth Form. 

 

Statutory information

The Department for Education requires us to publish particular information regarding A Level outcomes.  Please read the explanatory notes carefully. 

	Average grade achieved	DfE measure of progress made	Retention	Progress in English and Maths	Students continuing in education or training
	See Note 1	See Note 2	See Note 3	See Note 4	See Note 5
2022	A (48.4 pts)	Not published	96.0%	Not published	Not published
2021	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	95% (2019 cohort)
2020	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published	Not published
2019	B (38.8 pts)	+0.04	96.8%	None eligible	92% (2017 cohort)
2018	B (38.8 pts)	+0.09	96.2%	None eligible	93% (2016 cohort)
2017	B (40.2 pts)	+0.13	98.2%	None eligible	92% (2015 cohort)
2016	B (38.7 pts)	+0.07	99.5%	None eligible	92% (2014 cohort)