Guildford Library receives National Lottery funding for green hub
She added: "This funding will not only allow us to expand our green activities and reach more residents, particularly those in disadvantaged communities, but also strengthen vital partnerships with external groups like Zero Carbon Guildford."A council spokesperson said the green library hub would be used as a community space for people to learn about the environment, focusing on how it affects the local area.The library will also partner with schools and environmental organisations to spread messages to the community.Currently the library already operates a "library of things", where people can rent household items to use, a seed bank where people can swap pollinated seeds, and runs tree giveaways.
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The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Ucas Clearing 2025: How it works and what to do if you don't get A-level grades you wanted
Hundreds of thousands of students will get their A-level results today, finding out their final grades after two years of hard work. For those students who have applied for university, these results will determine whether they will secure their preferred university choice, the insurance choice or if they have unfortunately missed out on them. If this is the case, there are many options still available. The most important to know is clearing: the process by which students can still get themselves onto a great university course at short notice. There are over 30,000 courses available through clearing, giving around 74,000 students a space to study last year alone. These courses span across the UK, include many subjects and are available at both Russell Group and non-Russell Group universities. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. Students who have changed their minds about what or where they wish to study can also use clearing. Here's everything you need to know about clearing ahead of results day: When do A-level results come out? A-level results day for this year will be on Thursday 14 August. When can I pick up my results? Results can be picked up from schools and further education colleges any time after 8am on results day. However, you'll need to find out the exact times from your school as these may vary. What do I do if I get the grades I did not want? If the grades you received are not what you had in mind, there are plenty of options available for you. The first thing students are advised to do is to speak to a teacher or adviser who will be able to assist with exploring options and next steps. Here are a few other options according to Ucas: Speak to the university or college as they may be flexible especially if you narrowly missed your offer. Appeal your grade. Ucas has said you should discuss this with your school or college but it should not stop you from researching opportunities in clearing. Apply through clearing. Explore apprenticeships. You can find out more on the Ucas apprenticeship hub. Consider other options such as a gap year or going straight into the working world. How does clearing work? Clearing matches applicants to university spots that have not been filled yet and is available to anyone who has applied via the Ucas Undergraduate application and does not yet have any offers. Clearing runs from 8 July to 18 October and you are eligible if: If you are applying after 30 June If you did not receive any offers or none you wanted to accept If you did not meet the conditions of your offer If you've paid the multiple choice application fee of £26.50 If you have declined your firm place using the 'decline my place' option on the application 'Courses in Clearing aren't just the ones nobody wants – there are many reasons why courses are still available. It's an opportunity for those who have missed their conditions, or had a last-minute change of heart about the university or course they want to study,' Ucas says. How do I use clearing? The best place to start would be to check if there are any vacancies available via the Ucas website. In the search tab, you can enter the course of your choice, study level and entry year. After you have found the course you want to apply to, you should give the university of your choice a call to see if you meet its entry requirement and if there are still spots available. If the university gives you an offer and you wish to accept it, you can add the clearing choice to your application. This can be done by clicking 'Add Clearing Choice' and filling in the course details by the date the university gave you on the phone. Applicants can only add one choice at a time, but the Ucas website has said 'If the university/college doesn't confirm your place, you'll be able to add another.' Students that only applied for one choice in their original application will need to pay an additional £4.50 to go through Clearing. How should I contact universities? Guidance from the University of Sussex (UoS) shines some light on the best way students can approach universities when looking for a clearing space: Prepare what you can in advance: Students should have a shortlist and alternatives when browsing university clearing sites. 'If you have a shortlist of alternative universities to contact, it may help you save time on the day,' UoS says. Check entry requirements: For all universities, you should check if you meet the entry requirements. This can be found on each institutions website. Make sure you have important information at hand: You will need your Ucas ID number as it will be the first thing you might be asked for when contacting universities. UoS says you should also 'say the course or subject area you are interested in (if you have the course code, that's even better) and the grades you have achieved. If you're an international student, you may also need your English language qualification.' You will also need to provide your name, date of birth and potentially your email address and phone number. Take notes: It is important to write down any important information given to you. If given an offer, applicants will receive an email that will explain when the offer should be accepted. Be positive: It's important to keep a positive mindset during this process. 'Try to stay calm so that you can listen carefully to what you are being told. If you are feeling upset about your grades, it may be better to wait until you are ready to talk,' UoS says.
The Independent
a minute ago
- The Independent
Record gap in A-level top grades between London and north-east England
The gap between the proportion of A-level entries in London awarded the highest grades and those in north-east England is at its widest since the current system of grading was introduced, the 2025 exam figures show. Some 32.1% of entries in the capital were awarded A or A* this year, the highest for any region in England and up from 31.3% in 2024. By contrast, north-east England had the lowest regional percentage this year at 22.9%, down from 23.9% in 2024. The gap between these two regions now stands at 9.2 percentage points, up from 7.4 points last year and the largest since the present system of grading began in 2010, according to analysis by the PA news agency. North-east England is one of just two regions to see a year-on-year drop in entries receiving top grades, the other being West Midlands (down from 24.8% to 24.2%). It is also the only region where the proportion of entries awarded A or A* this year, 22.9%, is lower than the equivalent figure in the pre-pandemic year of 2019 (23.0%). For entries receiving the top grade of A*, London again had the highest proportion (11.6%, up from 11.3%) and north-east England the lowest (6.8%, down from 7.8%). The gap here of 4.8 percentage points is wider than in 2024 (3.5 points) but not as large as during the pandemic, when it reached 6.8 points in 2021. North-east England and the West Midlands are the only regions to see a year-on-year fall in entries receiving A*. By contrast, all regions reported a year-on-year increase in the proportion of entries awarded a grade C or higher, with London and south-east England almost tied on the highest percentage (79.54% and 79.45% respectively) and the East Midlands having the lowest (73.6%). At a national level, 30.4% of entries in Northern Ireland received A or A*, higher than the equivalent figure for Wales (29.5%) and England (28.2%). For entries awarded C or above, Northern Ireland was ahead at 85.8%, above England (77.7%) and Wales (77.2%). Here are the percentages of A-level entries awarded the top grade of A* by nation and region in 2025, with the equivalent figures for both 2024 and the pre-pandemic year of 2019: – North-east England 6.8% (2024: 7.8%; 2019: 6.7%)– North-west England 8.3% (2024: 8.0%; 2019: 6.9%)– Yorkshire & the Humber 7.7% (2024: 7.4%; 2019: 6.5%)– West Midlands 7.4% (2024: 7.9%; 2019: 6.3%)– East Midlands 7.4% (2024: 6.8%; 2019: 5.8%)– Eastern England 9.3% (2024: 9.1%; 2019: 7.9%)– South-west England 8.9% (2024: 8.8; 2019: 8.0%)– South-east England 11.0% (2024: 10.9%; 2019: 9.0%)– London 11.6% (2024: 11.3%; 2019: 8.7%)– England 9.4% (2024: 9.3%; 2019: 7.7%)– Wales 10.5% (2024: 10.1%; 2019: 8.9%)– Northern Ireland 8.7% (2024: 8.2%; 2019: 8.0%)– All 9.4% (2024: 9.3%; 2019: 7.7%) Here are the percentages of A-level entries awarded A or A*, by nation and region: – North-east England 22.9% (2024: 23.9%; 2019: 23.0%)– North-west England 26.6% (2024: 25.5%; 2019: 23.5%)– Yorkshire & the Humber 25.3% (2024: 24.6%; 2019: 23.2%)– West Midlands 24.2% (2024: 24.8%; 2019: 22.0%)– East Midlands 23.8% (2024: 22.5%; 2019: 21.0%)– Eastern England 28.0% (2024: 27.5%; 2019: 25.6%)– South-west England 27.0% (2024: 26.9%; 2019: 25.8%)– South-east England 31.2% (2024: 30.8%; 2019: 28.3%)– London 32.1% (2024: 31.3%; 2019: 26.9%)– England 28.2% (2024: 27.6%; 2019: 25.2%)– Wales 29.5% (2024: 29.9%; 2019: 26.5%)– Northern Ireland 30.4% (2024: 30.3%; 2019: 29.4%)– All 28.3% (2024: 27.8%; 2019: 25.4%) Here are the percentages of A-level entries awarded C or above, by nation and region: – North-east England 74.9% (2024: 74.4%; 2019: 76.3%)– North-west England 78.2% (2024: 75.9%; 2019: 75.6%)– Yorkshire & the Humber 76.8% (2024: 74.4%; 2019: 74.7%)– West Midlands 74.2% (2024: 73.4%; 2019: 72.8%)– East Midlands 73.6% (2024: 71.8%; 2019: 73.0%)– Eastern England 77.8% (2024: 76.1%; 2019: 75.7%)– South-west England 77.3% (2024: 76.3%; 2019: 76.0%)– South-east England 79.45% (2024: 78.1%; 2019: 78.0%)– London 79.54% (2024: 77.5%; 2019: 74.8%)– England 77.7% (2024: 76.0%; 2019: 75.5%)– Wales 77.2% (2024: 76.5%; 2019: 76.3%)– Northern Ireland 85.8% (2024: 85.1%; 2019: 85.0%)– All 77.9% (2024: 76.4%; 2019: 75.9%)
Telegraph
2 minutes ago
- Telegraph
Crackdown on A-level grade inflation fails as top results hit record high
Top A-level grades have reached a record high this year despite attempts to curb grade inflation. Pupils across the UK surpassed last year's surprise uptick in A*s and As and saw the share of top grades climb to 28.3 per cent – up from 27.8 per cent in 2024. It marks a new record for a non-pandemic year and will prompt concerns that grade inflation has become baked into the system. Ofqual, the exams regulator in England, insisted the bumper results were because of a 'strong' cohort rather than more generous grade boundaries. Boys outperformed girls to take the lion's share of high marks for just the third time in recent decades. The overall proportion of A*s rose slightly to 9.4 per cent this summer – the highest since the starred grade was introduced in 2010, outside of pandemic disruption. The rise comes despite Ofqual previously saying it hoped to squeeze the proportion of top grades back to the 2019 rate of around 25.5 per cent. The overall number of entries receiving top grades rose only slightly by roughly 3,000 this year, although fewer candidates sitting exams meant the proportion of A*s and As was greater. The surprise increase will provide a welcome boost for cash-strapped universities looking to fill seats this year amid financial woes. UCAS, the university admissions service, said on Thursday that a record number of applicants have been accepted onto their first-choice degree this year, with figures up 3.1 per cent compared to 2024. Jo Saxton, the head of UCAS, stressed earlier this week that the cohort would want universities to 'respect and understand the context in which they've come through'. However, the boost in A-level results could soon mean that three in 10 sixth-formers will receive the top two possible grades in years to come if the current trend continues. The Department for Education (DfE) hit back at forecasts reported over the weekend that grade inflation was likely to return this year, stating that the claims were 'completely false'. Sir Ian Bauckham, the chief executive of Ofqual, said on Thursday: 'Standards have been maintained for another year, with grades determined by students' performance in exams using exam boards' strict marking and grading processes.' In a press conference on Thursday, Sir Ian added that tougher GCSE grading in 2023 meant this year's cohort were more selective with their A-level subject choices and likely to have picked subjects they knew they would do well in. He added that 18-year-olds who performed poorly in their GCSEs may not have got onto A-level courses and that this was reflected in a slight decrease in the number of entries this year. Overall A-level entries dipped slightly to 882,509 from last year's 886,514 despite an increase in the number of 18-year-olds in 2025. Sir Ian added: 'The value of the A*, what it stands for… is directly comparable with previous years, 2024 [and] 2023.' However, it will still prompt debate over whether Ofqual is functioning as intended after the organisation was launched in 2010 to stamp out creeping grade inflation. In the 24 years until Ofqual came into force the proportion of A grades nearly trebled and prompted the exams regulator to introduce the A* grade at A-level in 2010 to distinguish the very best students. The rate of A*s handed out had been steadily declining since then until this trend was suddenly reversed during the pandemic. Top grades surged in 2020 and 2021, when formal exams ground to a halt during Covid lockdowns and were temporarily replaced with more generous teacher assessments. Boys overtake girls This year marked a reversal of the stable trend of girls outperforming their male peers in recent years. In total, 28.4 per cent of boys opened their A-level results this morning to find the highest two grades, compared to 28.2 per cent of girls. The only other two years when boys received the greater share of A*s and As in modern record was in 2017 and 2018, with girls then leaping ahead when exams were temporarily switched for teacher assessments during the pandemic. Just under half of all UK candidates received Bs and Cs in this year's A-levels, putting them in good stead for finding a university place despite not achieving top marks. Universities are expected to open their doors to school leavers who narrowly miss out on their offer conditions this summer as many institutions grapple with a worsening financial crisis. This year's sixth-formers, who were 13 when the pandemic hit, had their GCSEs marked more harshly than their predecessors as part of efforts to weed out Covid-related grade inflation. Arts surge while stem dips Maths, psychology and biology remained the most popular A-level subjects this year, although of these only maths saw an increase in entries. Career-oriented subjects such as economics and business studies recorded some of the biggest jumps in popularity. But it was art and design subjects that had the highest increase in top grades, rising 3.5 per cent this year, tailed by media studies, English language and computing. The increase follows some concerns that students may be using AI tools such as ChatGPT for coursework-heavy subjects. By contrast, several major Stem subjects saw slight falls in top grades, with maths down 0.3 percentage points this year, chemistry down 0.1 points, and further maths down 0.2 points.
