HEADTEACHERS last night angrily rejected claims that universities cannot cope with the record number of A-level students being awarded top grades.

On the day thousands of A-level students were celebrating their results, Professor Carol Fitzgibbon, of Durham University, warned there was a danger that the increasing numbers of A grades could actually harm higher education.

Last night, her claims were dismissed by headteachers and unions who said it was "casting a shadow" over all the hard work done by A-level students in the region.

Prof Fitzgibbon, from the university's education department, sparked outrage about the increase in top grades when she said yesterday: "The system has gone from ridiculous meanness to incredible munificence.

"It had to change because of the increase in the numbers taking A-levels, but it's not right yet. Universities cannot cope with everybody getting As."

Paul Lupton, head of sixth form at Framwellgate School in Durham City, said A-levels had changed. But he said: "They take in different skills and these are the skills that universities and employers have pushed for for years.

"It certainly makes me very angry that whenever there is any cause to celebrate success we have an uncanny ability to turn it around and look at the bleak side. It's a hugely pessimistic way of looking at education."

He also said that universities would have this summer's new AS-level results to base entrance criteria on next year so that they were not relying on predicted A-level grades and recommendations from teachers.

"I think students are doing better because they work harder," he said. "They are more driven these days because of the exam orientated system. I think we should be celebrating our students achievements."

Eddie Brady, head teacher of The Hermitage School, in Chester-le-Street, agreed.

"Young people can only respond to the system, and one of the main functions of a school is to prepare them for that. If they are successful we should be celebrating that," he said. "I think that maybe the fact that universities use A-levels as the major criteria for entrance is not very good.

"We need to be looking at a much wider range of skills that young people have and will bring to learning.

"What we need is some really informed dialogue between higher education and secondary education so we can work out what it is we really want our young people to be doing. To come out with headlines at a time like this is not really very helpful."

Elaine Kay, of the National Union of Teachers northern region, said it was damaging for students to hear such comments about their grades. "Today in particular should be a day of celebration," she said.

Paul Sokoloff, convenor of the Joint Council of Examinations in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, said: "This increasing pass rate is something to be celebrated.

"Years ago, A-levels were designed for the elite five per cent. Now we have an education system for everybody that provides opportunity and is relevant, not only to degree-level work, but to the work that people do throughout their lives."