Don’t write off academic slow-starters

Graduates at a UK university. ‘I cannot thank Leicester University enough for offering me a place back then, as it did everything it said on the tin and really changed my life,’ writes Andy Sowter.Despite getting a C, a D and a fail in my three comprehensive school A-levels in 1980, I gained a good degree and a PhD in mathematics (Concern over university places given for C and D grades at A-level, 13 December).Since then, I have had a satisfying career in industry and academia, livin