IT has been an anxious fortnight for many parents and children awaiting A level and GCSE results – including the Glen household, where there this morning will hopefully be have brought good news for my stepson!

It was good to see so many young people succeeding against a backdrop of rising standards and tougher exams – testament to their own talents and hard work as well as the commitment of their teachers.

It is often said that there have been too many changes in education but I believe it is right for politicians to take a view on the fitness of our exams as a preparation for the challenges of employment and higher education – and for that view to evolve in response to the realities of modern life.

Universities said in the past that undergraduate students often started their courses lacking the skills and knowledge required for higher education.

As the key qualification that enables young people to progress to higher education, A levels are too important to be allowed to become irrelevant as a measure of an individual’s ability.

Reforms to exams should ensure that this year’s successful students have the skills to compete in a global economy. We need a gold standard in education that is not just valued by our academic institutions but by employers and that is recognised and respected internationally.

To ask any less of them would be selling our most talented students short.

I am delighted to see that Salisbury’s University Technical College is on track to open soon in a few weeks. This will be a welcome addition to the mix of provision in Salisbury and will provide new opportunities amid an already impressive range of high quality options in the city.

This Friday, I will be doing another bumper advice surgery, as well as catching up with a couple of prominent local businesses. 

On Saturday, I look forward to what is quickly becoming an annual engagement – performing the happy task of awarding the prizes at the excellent Woodford Valley Gardening Club.