Thomson, StephanieVelthuis, SanneLupton, RuthUnwin, Lorna2025-04-082025-04-082024-11-22Thomson, S, Velthuis, S, Lupton, R & Unwin, L 2024, 'Creating Thresholds for Success and ‘Underachievement’ : a critical policy history of public examinations in England', Journal of Education Policy. https://doi.org/10.1080/02680939.2024.24253190268-0939ORCID: /0000-0002-6131-9512/work/173886417https://hdl.handle.net/2164/25267We are grateful to anonymous reviewers for their helpful comments. We also wish to thank Suzie Clement for her assistance with the design of the figures in this paper. This work was supported by the Nuffield Foundation, an independent charitable trust with a mission to advance social well-being. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily the Foundation.232455178engSubstantive connection via an eligible employment contractSDG 4 - Quality EducationEducational thresholdscritical policy historypolicy settlementsprogressionstandardseducational failureL Education (General)L1Journal article10.1080/02680939.2024.2425319