[Tom]

Originally Posted by angus58

It is simply not true that you have to get A levels and degrees to succeed in life - I know plenty of over educated tramps and no hopers. Some of the most destructive and least contributing members of society have been privately educated and gone to top universities - look at Tony Blair as a prime example.

I know you don't need them to go far but I'm speaking purely in general terms. If you look at the ratio of career successes from school leavers and then from college leavers over a 5-10 year period I bet you'd see a big difference

These days even the people who don't want A Levels go on to do a vocational course in construction or hair and beauty or something like that.

Years ago it was a lot different, but these days some schools report figures of at least 90% going on to further education which in a year group of 200 people means that 180 leave education at that point.

A levels are also the qualifications that most employers look at.