Like an A-level paper, this year’s results pose questions that may be difficult to answer

Editorial: The ‘Covid cohort’ of students have suffered from grade inflation and its supposed correction. But just how badly depends – unfairly – on what part of the country they are from

(Dave Brown)

Congratulations to those who achieved what they needed, and commiserations to those who fell short.

Anyone who has ever sat an exam – which must be a universal experience – will well understand the emotions being felt by this latest cohort of A-level students. Given that they are too often derided by older, luckier generations, it’s worth acknowledging that the pandemic has had a serious impact on the education – and thus the life chances – of many who spent a proportion of their schooldays in Zoom and Teams sessions rather than in the classroom or the lecture hall.

Without rehearsing the arguments, even now many university leavers are awaiting their final degree award, delayed because of industrial action by academics. The lingering effects of the pandemic on the education of the young would make a fine proposal for a doctoral thesis. Perhaps one is already in train.