Exam season starts with A-levels and Scottish results
In another school year disrupted by COVID-19, hundreds of thousands of students in England, Northern Ireland and Wales have received their A-level results today, with applied qualification results also being released this week, while students in Scotland have received their results for Nationals, Highers and Advanced Highers.
Our director of education, Sarah Robertson, said: “2021 has been another year in which all our lives have been significantly impacted by the ongoing global pandemic. Against that backdrop, it’s clear that students have shown real resilience in adapting to new ways of working and learning and I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them – with equal admiration for the staff who have supported them throughout – they should all be proud of their achievements.
“I am particularly proud of the way our chemistry community has continued to support schools, ensuring students have had opportunities to experience a rich and rewarding education, despite the many challenges they have faced.
“In the past two years, perhaps more than ever before, science has demonstrated its enormous importance to our global society. From creating life-saving vaccines in record time to rolling out mass testing programmes, we cannot underestimate the contribution of our scientific community in facing up to this unprecedented challenge.”
Chemistry results in context
- Entries to all A-level subjects was up this year by 5.1%.
- Chemistry entries increased by 6.9% – the rise in chemistry’s popularity is seen across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, making this year's number of A-level chemistry entries the highest ever recorded.
- In Scotland a more mixed picture saw reductions in chemistry entries at all levels as a proportion of total entries, though at Advanced Higher there was an increase in real terms.
- Entry data is not yet available at subject level for applied qualifications such as BTECs.
Nations data
- England A-level total entries up 4.7% (chemistry 6.2%)
- Wales A-level total entries up 14.5% (chemistry 24.3%)
- NI A-level total entries up 3.8% (chemistry 5%)
Entries in Scotland |
Total (%change) |
Chemistry (%change) |
|
National 4 + 5 |
–0.4 |
–3.8 |
|
Higher |
+4.7 |
–2.0 |
|
Advanced Higher |
+13.7 |
+4.7 |
Grade outcomes
There has been a further rise in top achievement seen compared to last year – the overall trend of performance at the higher grades increased, a pattern also seen for chemistry qualifications. However, we have been concerned about unequal impacts of the pandemic, and that an increase in attainment gaps compared to last year is being reported in Scotland.
We will continue to monitor the impact of all these events on students’ progression to further study in chemistry. We know chemical science educators in further and higher education are ready to give incoming students every support.
What should I do now?
If you are thinking about choosing chemistry for the next stage of your learning, take a look at our Future in Chemistry careers pages and find out about student membership.
The #NoWrongPath campaign is a social media movement which aims to provide inspiration and reassurance to young people receiving their exam results.
For A-level and Highers students BTEC Level 3 #NoWrongPath campaignhave an advice and information page on clearing.
The National Careers Service runs an Exam Results Helpline for students who want advice on their next steps, including appeals and autumn exams. The helpline is free and is open until 20 August 2021, from 8am to 10pm, 7 days a week on 0800 100 900.
Skills Development Scotland runs a free results helpline – 0808 100 8000 – are offering careers advice, information and guidance. Support and advice is also available on the SQA website and on BBC Bitesize. Young people can also call Childline on 0800 1111 or get advice about exam results on its website.
BBC Bitesize advice pages contain information for parents and students, as they make these important decisions.