A-level supergrade to find brightest students

An A-level supergrade is set to be drawn up for the brightest students, it emerged today.

A government review has concluded the ability range covered by A and B grades is too wide and should be split into A1, A2, B1 and B2. C-E would retain their existing value.

The move follows claims that A-levels are becoming too easy. Last year, 21.6 per cent of papers were awarded the top grade, more than double the number handed out a decade ago. Elite universities, which aim to attract the top five to 10 per cent, say their admissions process has turned into a lottery.

Currently, a pupil who scrapes an A grade with a mark of 80 per cent receives parity with one scoring 100 per cent. The proposed A1 grade, similar to the A* used at GCSE, would resolve that and could see the top grade "reset" to 1990 levels.

Mike Tomlinson, the former Chief Inspector of Schools, headed the review of the 14-19 curriculum and will announce his findings next week. The final report is due to be released in September, and ministers are expected to accept its conclusions. Jane Minto, director of the Oxford Colleges Admissions Office, was delighted by the proposal. "It would also be useful to see the unit marks rather than just an A1, A2 grade and so on."

The changes would be incorporated within the wider plan for A-levels and GCSEs to become parts of a school leavers' diploma.