Stephen Williams calls for independent exam review

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 16th Aug 2007

The Liberal Democrats today congratulated students and teachers on today's A-level results and renewed their call for an independent review of standards.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Schools Spokesperson, Stephen Williams MP said:

"Students and their teachers are to be congratulated on another record set of good results.

"It isn't fair that students should have to defend themselves against commentators carping on about a decline in standards.

"The only way to end this annual devaluing of students' efforts is to have an independent review. Universities, employers and the teaching profession should come together to agree what they expect a 21st century A-level to deliver.

"Unfortunately confidence in the exams is undermined by constant, and often inaccurate, criticism. It is actually harder to get an A-grade in so-called 'soft subjects' such as media studies than traditional subjects such as maths and physics.

"Although there was an increase in the number of people taking maths this year, there are still 7000 less entrants than seven years ago. Students who take maths and physics at A-level must receive greater incentives to study these subjects at university."