ASCL sounds warning over decline of small-entry A-levels 14/08/2025 Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, comments ahead of the publication of this year’s level 3 qualification results on Thursday. “We send our very best wishes to students for their results in A-levels, AS-levels, and level 3 vocational and technical qualifications. This can be a nerve-racking time which is often intensified by the scramble for university places for those going straight into higher education. “While many students will achieve the grades to which they aspire, there will be others who are disappointed. We would urge them to keep calm, talk to their teachers, and consider their options. There will be excellent opportunities available to them and dropping a grade is not the end of the world. “Looking at the pattern of A-level entries in England this year, we have seen the continued rise of maths as the most popular subject choice. It is great news that so many young people are studying this vital subject at this level and see maths as a route to further study and careers. “However, there are several A-level subjects where numbers are small and we are concerned about their sustainability in sixth forms and colleges. This is partly because the funding rates for post-16 education are extremely tight, making it difficult for providers to put on courses for small classes. “According to Ofqual’s statistics, entries in a number of these subjects fell alarmingly this year, including French by 8.3 per cent, German by 6.8 per cent, drama by 6.2 per cent, and music by 2.6 per cent. “In many cases, we fear small-entry options are simply no longer available because of funding cuts which have already had to be made, and that we are in the midst of a downward spiral where some subjects will effectively disappear from the state education system. “It is imperative that the government carefully considers how funding rates are affecting A-level choices, and that it does more to champion languages and arts subjects.”