The Socialist 25 August 2021

NHS pay: 3% is not enough

Afghanistan disaster - Unite to fight for funding for refugees and local communities

Afghanistan in crisis:

Afghanistan: The Taliban takeover - what are the lessons for the workers' movement internationally

NHS Pay

UK hospitals in danger of collapse

University of Leeds students bribed to stay away while staff are under attack

Exam results: grade gap widens

Lessons from Poplar 100 years on

NEU: Oppose the pay freeze with action not just words

Care workers struggle for a pay rise and trade union recognition

Reject the Ministry of Justice pay offer

East Midlands rail strikes continue

Homelessness workers fight for better pay and conditions across sector

Woolwich ferry strikers - the action necessary to win

Liverpool university strike saves jobs

Nigeria: Comrade Omomeewa, student leader and socialist campaigner, killed by armed assailants

SNP-Green deal will not deliver for workers and youth

Reflections on the Lebanese tragedy one year on

Biggest in-person socialist event this year!

Ealing by-election: Labour council has not opposed Tory cuts

Why I rejoined the Socialist Party

Councils declared climate emergency - now act like it!

Wales: Gearing up for 9 October youth marches

Liverpool: Stop the arms fair!

Marching for Kashmir's liberation

Donate to stop Tories clawing back crumbs

Film Review: Martin Eden

TV review: Revolutionary Love

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Exam results: grade gap widens

Fund our schools

Protesting against a-level grade fiasco in 2020. Photo Mark Best (Click to enlarge)

Evita Nazari, sixth form student, West London Socialist Party

After a tumultuous two years of studying during a pandemic, students across the country finally received their teacher-assessed results on 10 and 12 of August. Many experienced joy at their results, while others missed out on the top grades they needed. However, a clear pattern emerged: those rejoicing at grades were disproportionately from private schools.

61% of private school students received GCSE grades at 7, 8 and 9, which is in stark contrast to the 23% of students in comprehensive schools. This pattern is repeated in A level results as well: 70% of private school students acquired A or A* grades, while only 39% of students at comprehensive schools received the top marks.

This year saw more students getting the top grades. But that didn't close the gap! Private schools experienced an increase of 14.6%, while for state schools it was around 7%.

The grade gap between private and state schools has increased further during the pandemic. The introduction of teacher-assessed grades increases the opportunities for parents to pressure teachers. A study from the charity Sutton Trust found that in private schools, 23% of teachers experienced interference from parents, compared to just 11% in state schools.

Furthermore, the closure of schools to most students due to Covid-19, and commencement of online learning have highlighted that students from state schools are less likely to have access to, or have to share, technology. Lack of correct equipment at home has hindered, thousands of working-class students' from studying, and limited their potential to achieve the top grades.

A major problem fuelling grade inequality is that state schools are underfunded.

This year's results just prove that, under a Conservative government representing the super-rich, going to private school is more important than intellect when it comes to achieving great results.

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Afghanistan disaster - Unite to fight for funding for refugees and local communities