Mayor Lutfur Rahman has requested that Tower Hamlets' Overview and Scrutiny Committee review the borough's A-level results, expressing significant dissatisfaction with this year's outcomes.

During a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, the Mayor stated his intention to receive a paper outlining potential improvements to A-level results as soon as possible. He highlighted concerns that the cream, the best of our students are opting for colleges outside the borough after achieving strong GCSE results, with authorities elsewhere benefiting from their subsequent A-level successes.

It was embarrassing to see our A-level results this year, Mayor Rahman stated, adding that he knows headteachers will not be happy to hear this. The concern appears to be borough-wide, as he noted, Many of the members are not happy with the A-level results in Thailand. He did not specify particular subjects or academic areas of concern.

Architectural rendering of a new housing development, featuring a brick apartment building adjacent to a park area and surrounding structures.
Architectural rendering of a new housing development.

Mayor Rahman provided an anecdote to illustrate the issue: I know, sadly, you couldn't go. Came across a mother. She's got a child at that school, but then she had a child who just did her GCS edition at Swanlea. She got between 9 to 11 A-stars. Yep. As soon as the results came out, she ran to New City College. In the morning, she ran to New City College for a place there in Newham, rather than going to any of our six forms.

The meeting information does not provide a direct comparison of the performance of Tower Hamlets' A-level providers versus colleges outside the borough. However, the Mayor's comments suggest that students are opting for colleges outside the borough, implying a perceived deficiency in local provision for top-performing students.

Mayor Rahman requested that the Overview and Scrutiny Committee review A-level results and provide suggestions for improvement. He also stated, I do need a paper to Cabinet what improvements we can put in place as soon as possible in order to improve and drive up the A-level results. He further suggested, if you need to get external help, between you and Lisa Fraser, we need to sort out education.

The Mayor's request for a review of A-level results comes amidst broader discussions about education and opportunities for young people in the borough. The Cabinet meeting agenda and public reports pack can be found at Agenda frontsheet 23rd Sep 2026 and Public reports pack 23rd Sep 2026.