When I think back to my own A-level results day, I now realise how lucky I was as there were no surprises for me in that exam envelope. I was among the minority of students to achieve their predicted grades – but worryingly this isn’t the case for most young people. Evidence shows the majority of predicted grades are inaccurate – only 16% of students receive their projected A-level results. And the students most likely to be under-predicted on grades are disadvantaged students and those from minority backgrounds.

Underestimating grades can have serious consequences for students. Not only can it impact upon young people’s choices as to where to study but it can also mean they are less likely to end up at a top university – meaning many students are being held back from reaching their full potential.

A new “fairer” system of post-qualification admissions has been proposed by Labour that would see students apply for their higher education place after receiving their results. This would also bring an end to the clearing process – which can be a highly stressful and worrying time for students. The criticism is that this would require a full rethink of the whole school calendar. But as Iain Garner writes, this is more than possible – and in many other countries, post-qualification admissions are the norm.

This might be a step in the right direction, though it still doesn’t help tackle the fact that private school graduates earn more and are more likely to get top professional jobs. But rather than integrating private schools into the state system, two sociologists say the answer lies in addressing inequalities between state schools.

We also bring you the latest on the Hong Kong protests – and the lessons Beijing can learn from the British response to the 1967 riots.

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