THE man in charge of Oxfordshire’s top-performing school said the introduction of the A* grade had led to a degree of “bewilderment” among pupils and teachers.

Dr Tim Hands, the Master of Oxford’s Magdalen College School, said sixth-formers worked harder than ever, but the situation surrounding the new marking scheme was not clear.

He said: “Young people work harder than they did in my time – a lot harder.

“This year there has been a lot of uncertainty over the new grade. It’s like a new currency and the market is very uncertain about how it’s going to react.

“It’s a very difficult year to be a young person.”

Asked whether the new grade was a leap into the unknown, he said: “A leap indeed, a camouflaged, disguised leap, and, to a certain extent, bewilderment.”

He said more universities seemed to be acknowledging the A* than had initially been stated by Ucas and added: “I’m sure a lot more universities are going to change their mind.

“I think it’s a very unfair system. Pupils should know the marks they need.

“It’s a difficult year to be a young person and, in a way, an exciting and challenging year for them.”