Education News Highlights: August 11–17

Catch up on the key stories from the world of education in this week’s ED-EX.com digest.

Contents:

• Record number of A-level students in England achieve top grades
• “The London effect”: how the capital’s schools became a model for reform
• Judge blocks Trump’s ban on DEI programs in schools and universities
• U.S.: federal grants for students with disabilities at risk
• Queensland teachers threaten new strike
• India introduces mandatory “green rating” for schools

Record Number of A-Level Students in England Achieve Top Grades

In 2025, A-level students in England achieved record results: 28.2% of all exams were graded A or A* — higher than the 27.6% achieved in 2024 and above the pre-pandemic level of 25.2% in 2019. The proportion of A* grades reached 9.4%, also exceeding last year’s figure.

Exam regulator Ofqual dismissed claims of grade inflation, explaining the high results as a reflection of a “smaller but stronger” cohort of candidates rather than a lowering of standards.

Despite the rise in top grades, significant regional disparities remain: London leads with 32.1%, while the North East of England lags behind at 22.9%. The 9.2 percentage-point gap is the largest since the current grading system was introduced in 2010.

Notably, for the first time in seven years, boys outperformed girls in terms of top grades, with 28.4% of male students achieving A or A* compared to 28% of female students.

Mathematics was the most popular subject again this year, marking the 12th consecutive year at the top. There were 112,138 entries — up 4.4% from 2024. Psychology retained its position as the second most popular subject with 75,943 entries, while Biology remained third with 71,400 entries. Business Studies entered the top five for the first time, taking fifth place and pushing History down to seventh. Physics climbed from ninth to sixth place.

Universities also saw record numbers of admissions this year. According to UCAS, 82% of 18-year-olds secured a place at their first-choice university, and the total number of entrants reached a new high of 255,130 — nearly 5% more than in 2024.

Read more about A-levels here: Understanding A-Levels: Your Pathway to a UK University.

“The London Effect”: How the Capital’s Schools Became a Model for Reform

Experts say London’s dominance in A-level results is no coincidence. Over the past two decades, the capital has transformed from a region with “chronic problems” into one of the country’s leading education hubs. Much of this success is attributed to the London Challenge reforms of the 2000s: strengthening school leadership, encouraging collaboration between strong and struggling institutions, closer engagement with families, and extensive use of data to monitor quality. As a result, London’s pupils — including those from disadvantaged backgrounds — consistently outperform their peers elsewhere in England.

Against this backdrop, the government has announced an expansion of the Rise program, designed to support struggling schools in the North and Midlands. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson confirmed plans to double the number of participating schools: by autumn, a further 200 institutions will receive extra funding of up to £200,000 each, alongside expert guidance. Project leaders insist that swift and radical measures could replicate the “London effect” and help close the country’s alarming educational divide.

Judge Blocks Trump’s Ban on DEI Programs in Schools and Universities

A U.S. federal court on Thursday blocked two directives from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) programs in the nation’s schools and universities.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher in Maryland found that the Department of Education violated the law by threatening to withhold federal funding from institutions that continued DEI initiatives. Since April, three federal judges had already blocked various measures from the department targeting DEI programs.

The department’s memoranda specifically ordered schools and universities to end “race-based decision-making” under threat of losing federal funding. The Trump administration framed these measures as efforts to combat discrimination against white and Asian American students.

In her ruling, Gallagher required the Department of Education to rescind the contested guidance. Democracy Forward, the legal advocacy organization representing the plaintiffs, described the decision as an important victory against the administration’s attack on DEI, emphasizing that the program protects the rights of teachers and students from threats and chaos in educational institutions.

U.S.: Federal Grants for Students with Disabilities at Risk 

Schools supporting students with disabilities face the risk of losing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants. In August 2025, the Trump administration suspended funding for several educational programs, including support for children with special educational needs — a move that could severely impact ongoing development programs in these schools.

Funding cuts could reduce the number of specialists, teaching materials, and assistive technologies essential for effective learning. Advocacy groups warn that these measures could not only diminish educational quality but also infringe on the rights of students with physical or cognitive disabilities.

Some states and educational institutions have already begun seeking alternative funding sources and drafting contingency plans in case further cuts occur. Experts note, however, that without federal support, providing stable, high-quality education for students with disabilities will be extremely difficult.

The situation remains tense, and schools are closely monitoring developments, hoping for a reconsideration of federal decisions.

Queensland Teachers Threaten New Strike

The Queensland Teachers’ Union (QTU) has issued an ultimatum to the government: if pay increases are not agreed upon by August 29, teachers will stage a new 24-hour strike. This announcement follows a massive strike last week, which involved around 50,000 teachers and disrupted classes for more than 560,000 students.

Teachers rejected the government’s offer of an 8% pay rise over three years, arguing it would leave them among the lowest-paid educators in the country. The union is demanding higher salaries, improved working conditions, and solutions to staffing shortages in schools. Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek said the government continues to negotiate and hopes to reach a fair agreement.

If no compromise is reached by the end of the month, the union is prepared to proceed with another strike day. The decision will be made on August 30 at a meeting of the QTU State Council. The union emphasized that striking is a last resort, to be used only if the government fails to meet its obligations.

India Introduces Mandatory “Green Rating” for Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has mandated that all schools under its system obtain a “green rating” as part of the SHVR initiative (Sustainable Holistic Vision for Rejuvenation) by September 30, 2025.

Schools will be evaluated on key criteria such as water and energy conservation, effective waste management, use of eco-friendly materials, and integration of environmental education into the curriculum. The initiative aims to encourage educational institutions to adopt sustainable practices and raise environmental awareness among students.

CBSE representatives emphasize that the new rating system will not only assess schools’ performance but also reward best practices and drive long-term improvements in infrastructure and school culture. According to The Times of India, this measure is part of India’s broader strategy to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility in education.