Today is the day that A levels results are released to students and their parents. For the first time in as long as I can remember, the news media has not been obsessed with grade inflation. The estimated 175,000 students who won’t get a place has moved that old chestnut off top spot. That said, universities which told a Guardian poll last week that they were full are suddenly able to take well qualified students (Clearing 2010: Universities offer lifeline to top students, The Guardian).
This is also the first year that the A* grade – awarded for grades of 90% and above – has been made available. [Few universities used it in making offers](http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2010/aug/17/a-levels-a-grade-universities), but more may use it in clearing.
The story is unfolding on the [BBC](http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11012369), [The Guardian](http://www.guardian.co.uk/education), [The Daily Telegraph](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/), and [The Independent](http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/).
The Times is behind a pay wall.
