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Unions have given a cautious thumbs-up to proposals for a post-qualification university application system. The Association of 51¹ú²úÊÓƵ Teachers and lecturers' union Natfhe are optimistic about suggested changes to the structure of the school year.

The Local Government Association's proposals would mean pupils sitting A-level exams in April. They would have results in July allowing nearly three months in which to apply to university. AUT general secretary David Triesman said: "The idea that people could make applications knowing what their exam results are is hugely attractive."