One of the hardest parts of growing up is learning that life is not fair. For many students collecting their A-levels today, it is a particularly bitter realisation. Results are lower across the board as part of a push to reverse pandemic era grade inflation, when exams were cancelled and marks handed out by teacher assessment.
To that end, the proportion of top A-level results in England has fallen to 27.2 per cent, compared with 36.4 per cent last year. Needless to say, this generation of young people have had little luck. First, in missing crucial years of education due to Covid, and now following in the steps of previous cohorts who enjoyed more generous grading.
And to complicate matters further, while marks in England are brought back in line with 2019 levels, those in Wales and Northern Ireland are set to remain elevated. Will employers, universities and other educational providers be able to properly interpret these differences on an individual basis?
As a result of all this, the scramble for places will be intense. Students have already been warned of less choice in clearing than previous years. Even those successful will face an almighty challenge in finding decent accommodation. The return to normal grading had to happen at some point. That will be of little comfort to students who have worked so hard for what must feel like less reward.
Keep Greenwood out
Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood was first arrested in January 2022 and subsequently charged with attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault. These were later dropped following the “withdrawal of key witnesses”.
The club initially acted swiftly, suspending him from playing or training within hours of the allegations surfacing. But its recent behaviour has been less decisive. Last week, Manchester United said it would consult with its women’s team before coming to a final decision. Yet some of these players are in Australia, at the biggest tournament of their lives.
All organisations, let alone one with the global reach of Manchester United, must have a zero-tolerance approach to violence against women. On that basis, Greenwood should not play for the club again.
Prada on ice
What does fashion taste like? Neither leather nor plastic but sweet fior di latte, if your tipple is Prada ice cream. At £14.50 for a selection of three flavours at Harrods, it’s not cheap, but somewhat more attainable than a statement handbag.
