The average grade given for A-levels taken in independent schools this year was a grade A, new official data reveals, The Guardian reports.
The figures from the DfE confirm the extent of “grade inflation” this summer in both independent and state schools.
The average A grade in independent schools was a full grade higher than the average of B awarded in 2019 in the sector.
In comparison, teachers at state-funded schools in England this year awarded B grades on average, compared with the C+ gained through exams in 2019.
Although independent schools awarded the highest average grades, a number of other school types had faster rates of grade inflation, including sponsored academies, free schools and University Technical Colleges (UTCs).
The DfE has said it will not publish results for individual schools publish league tables for this year or last year, because of the unusual circumstances.
The results from 2021 were “not comparable” to 2019 or previous years, the department said.
