In the aftermath of the publication of the A level results in the United Kingdom and the ongoing debate about their suitability for admission to the university, an article, Head Praises Single-Sex Education As Boys' Schools Top League Table, was recently published in The Times of London.

The article refers to the fact that while girls achieve higher A level results overall, this year boys' schools dominate the top of The Times league table. Both the top and second place is occupied by independent boys' schools with an independent girls' school a close third.

Interestingly, the boys' school in second place has for the first time this year abandoned A levels entirely. Instead, all 139 candidates took the International Baccalaureate (IB) which, according to The Times, "is growing in popularity across independent schools" in the UK. These students will find it that much easier to follow courses of their choice at the university of their choice. This is particularly important this year when it is known that the number of applicants to universities has significantly increased as a result of the recession.

The rise in A level results for the 27th consecutive year has raised, in some but by no means all quarters, the question of dumbing-down; hence the change to IB in a number of schools and the preference being shown by universities for IB.

St Edwards' College will introduce the IB diploma programme commencing this September. Details can be obtained from the college website at www.stedwards.edu.mt.