Reaction to 'A' level results.

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 20th Aug 2002

The annual A level announcements will show that the borough is amongst the top performers;

the Tertiary College by far the best college of its kind for A levels in Britain; and the three leading private schools in the borough again amongst the national elite.

Vincent Cable, MP, warned however that the existing A level system may not survive very much longer: "I am naturally delighted for the many young people in local schools and colleges who have done well and can now progress to higher education. But I get a growing sense that the existing A level model is breaking down."

"It is no longer seen as a 'gold standard' for academic excellence. And with 50% of the population of young people - many more locally - progressing to some form of higher education it may not be the best preparation. I have a lot of sympathy for those arguing for a British equivalent of the baccalaureate which will provide a more broadly based education for post-16 year olds with consistent and high standards."

"That is why the council must not rush into a reorganisation, creating sixth forms in schools, which may prove to be out of date before it has started".