THOUSANDS of A-level students across the South face chaos today due to industrial action by a lecturers' union.

Now a Hampshire headteacher has condemned the disruption of the annual clearing process and is advising his sixth-formers not to apply to the universities affected.

David Chapman, head of Embley Park School in Romsey, launched his outspoken attack as schools and colleges in Hampshire announced record pass rates.

Most have bettered last year's records and are well above the national average.

The two-day boycott by members of the Association of University Teachers is aimed at admissions procedures at dozens of institutions including Southampton University.

It means students who fail to gain their desired grades and have to resort to the clearing process could be left in limbo until next week.

Mr Chapman said: "I could not advise pupils to go to any university which adds to the trauma of the A-level experience.

"I am recommending that pupils should go to universities that will accept them today. This is a traumatic time for students.

The results are the end product of several years' hard work.

"Clearing is a time when many have to make snap decisions, often on the telephone and institutions are not doing themselves any favours by saying there is no-one there to help them now.''

Mr Chapman's comments come as AUT members resolved to turn up the heat further in pursuit of a ten per cent pay claim.

A Hampshire spokesman said today's action was intended as a "short delay" to the admissions procedure and would not prevent any student from going to university. Further action could be launched, he warned.

Southampton University has been forced to draft in extra help to man phonelines but a spokesman expressed confidence that calls would be answered. Schools and colleges across the South are reporting overall pass rates above the national average of 88.5 per cent and better than individual peaks of last year.

Students at Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh scored a 92 per cent success rate, achieving a six per cent rise in the higher grades.

Principal Godfrey Glyn said: "This is a tremendous achievement. We are proud and as the college enters a new millennium we look forward to continued success."

Peter Hamilton, head of King Edward VI School in Southampton, said its 130 pupils had a 98.5 per cent pass rate.

He added: "This is the highest on record going back 20 years. It's a testament to their hard work."

The national rise of 0.7 per cent - albeit the second smallest in a decade - represents the 17th annual improvement in successful entries.

The trend indicates results may finally be hitting a plateau, with examiners dismissing suggestions that exams are getting easier.

Dr Ron McLone, convenor of the Joint Council for General Qualifications, said rigorous marking, regulated by a strict code of practice, guaranteed that A-levels were "reliable, objective and consistent" year on year.

education chiefs in Hampshire have immediately praised pupils for their success.

Councillor Don Allen, chairman of the county education committee, said: "I would like to congratulate all Hampshire students on their results which I believe are a tribute to their hard work and the hard work of all their teachers throughout their school careers."

HELPLINES Department for Education - 0800 7319133 UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admission Service - 01242 227788 BBC - 0800 101901 Bournemouth University - 01202 524111 Chichester Institute of Higher Education - 01243 816001 King Alfred's College, Winchester - 01962 827234 Southampton University (including New College) - 01703 595959 Portsmouth University - 02392 848484 Southampton Institute - 0800 847800

Were your results not as good as you hoped For advice on what to do now, see tomorrow's Echo.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.