Mr Gove long ago moved on, but his reforms have now reached fruition in the first set of results of his “more rigorous” A-levels. Initial fears that that would mean worse results were eased when Sally Collier, the head of the joint council for qualifications, confirmed that, as usual, there would be “smoothing” so that this year’s grades reflected the abilities of the pupils sitting them. For there is mounting evidence that with the graduate bonus shrinking, consent for student fees is ebbing away. Even David Willetts, who as universities minister raised fees to £9,000, thinks recent changes have gone too far. Judged by its success in meeting the needs of the economy, Michael Gove’s focus on the academic is looking misdirected.

Source: The Guardian August 17, 2017 18:45 UTC