A-levels 2012: Top grades down this year

There has been a fall in the proportion of A-levels awarded an A or A* grade for the first time in over two decades.

This summer's results show 26.6% of A-level entries achieved the top two grades - down from 27% last year.
About 335,000 students in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are receiving their results - with many finding out whether they have made the grade for university.
Students in England will be the first intake to face fees of up to £9,000.
Although girls have continued to outperform boys for getting A grades - this year saw boys narrowly ahead of girls at achieving the highest A* grades - 8% compared with 7.9%.