Private schools are expected to take a bigger than ever share of the top grades when teenagers get the results of their A-levels next week.
The attainment gap between state and independent schools is thought to have widened this year, sources close to the government told The Times.
Exams were cancelled in England at the start of the year and replaced by teacher-assessed grades. Sources said that as a result a greater proportion of A and A* grades than last year could go to privately educated pupils.
There have been reports of pressure from parents on schools to award generous grades, especially within the independent sector. Experts suggested, however, that lockdown and school closures were also likely to have disproportionately affected the state sector.
