Last year there was no limit on places for applicants who achieved AAB grades - and while it meant expansion in some universities, it meant unfilled places in others.

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They will confirm at once university or college places for candidates with conditional offers who have achieved the necessary grades.

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Last year almost two thirds of free school meals children at Trinity High achieved five good grades at GCSE, outperforming the national average for all children.

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Indeed, research by exams group Cambridge Assessment found three A grades at A-level was achieved by 17.5% of students in 2009.

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At the moment, universities can recruit an unlimited number of students who have achieved A-level grades equivalent to ABB or higher, but the number of lower achieving students they can take is capped to limit the cost to the state in the form of student loans.

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At GCSE, 54% of Kent pupils achieved five or more top grades last year, compared with 53% for statistical neighbours and just under 50% nationally.

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And on Thursday it was revealed he had achieved the necessary A-level grades.

BBC: NEWS | UK | Education | Grandmother, 78, passes A-level