British Academy comments on A Level results

The British Academy has commented on this week’s A Level results.

Alun Evans, Chief Executive of the British Academy, said:

"We welcome the increase in STEM take up – particularly in mathematics. Our recent report, Count Us In, argued that our schools and colleges need to be giving children and young adults a strong, confident grasp of data from an early age. But maths and science are not the only place in which statistics and numerical understanding should be taught. Many social science and humanities subjects provide a rich context for the development of these skills at school.

"The continued decline of modern languages is worrying. The British Academy has repeatedly demonstrated that language skills are vital to the UK economy, security and diplomacy, and our research base. Employers are increasingly seeking multi-lingual candidates and placing huge emphasis on soft skills such as an international outlook, global mind-set, cultural intelligence, and strong communication skills."