England A-level downgrades hit pupils from disadvantaged areas hardest

Analysis also shows pupils at independent schools benefited most from algorithm A-level results - live updates Pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds have been worst hit by the controversial standardisation process used to award A-level grades in England this year, while pupils at independent schools benefited the most. Private schools increased the proportion of students achieving top grades - A* and A - twice as much as pupils at comprehensives, official data showed.