The Institute of Educational Assessors (IEA) congratulates students, teachers, and the assessors of this year's qualifications for the hard work and earnest endeavour exercised in such a professional manner to achieve overall outstandingly successful results. 'The continuous improvement over the years is a true reflection of the achievements of our young people and what they are capable of, and no doubt that high standard of achievement will be maintained this year,' says Kathleen Tattersall, Chair of the newly-formed Institute.

'Although younger generations have always been criticised by their elders - and always will, despite their achievements', says Ms Tattersall,' they should be congratulated for their hard work and endeavour. Criticising students' performance for not being the same standard as it used to be is unsubstantiated by evidence from regular studies of standards over time,' she says.

'Examinations have always attracted media interest' she continues, ' particularly after GCSE's introduction. No doubt many of today's critics will have received the same criticism of their own achievements when they did their examinations but their achievements put them on the road to a successful career. The same will be true for this year's candidates,' she says.

The Institute of Educational Assessors is a professional body formed to promote good assessment practice universally across the educational landscape in schools, national tests and public examinations. The Institute provides its members with opportunities to improve and develop their assessment skills. It has a defined code of practice and recognised structure for professional development - thereby maintaining and building upon those high standards of assessment practice already achieved.