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An ITV documentary has investigated whether some schools are taking duplicitous measures to achieve top marks. The problem is said to have developed after league tables based on exam results were introduced in 1992, putting more pressure on schools to perform well. Schools can obtain more financial rewards if they feature highly in league tables, while the jobs of heads and teachers are at risk if a bad Ofsted inspection means the school goes into special measures.

Up to 100,000 students a year now use dozens of shady companies to produce bespoke pieces of work guaranteed to secure high marks.

1,382 students from two British universities have been investigated for cheating since 2010. Most of those cases are of plagiarism. Most plagiarized work came from media and film students, and the Informatics department – which includes computer sciences.

A new system of performance-related pay in schools risks fuelling a rise in fraud as teachers attempt to falsify pupils' results to win salary rises. Teachers could be tempted to "over-egg" children's work to prove they are doing a good job and the proposals could also lead to major employment disputes within schools if teachers who fail to receive higher pay lodge official discrimination claims.