GCSE results to be released digitally in government-backed pilot
A government-backed trial will take exam results digital, but some say this could "take away a rite of passage".
The Education Record app will replace paper GCSE files to provide students with digital exam records they can use to apply for college, apprenticeships, or jobs.
Around 95,000 Year 11 pupils will be the first to trial the scheme, across Greater Manchester and the West Midlands.
Combined, around 850,000 to 930,000 students sit GCSE and A-level exams each summer in England. And between them they will undertake 6.5 to 7.5 million exams.
Usually, the results of these exams are sent to schools, and students are asked to collect them.
In special circumstances, students can already request results to be collected by a named parent or carer. Results can also be emailed on request and would be posted home if not collected in person.
In a move to take the process into the 21st century, the results app launch comes as the government ramps up reforms across post-16 education.
Mark Giles, principal at the Hathershaw College school, said: "We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools.
"In the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school."
But Jack Cronin, head of physics in a secondary school in the South East, told Sky News: "For ease of access, it makes sense, but it takes away a rite of passage.
"Collecting results in school is a big marker in your life. I know the news isn't always good, but it gives them a chance to see their friends and talk it over."
Schools often will provide support and guidance for those students who may have missed their university offers or not achieved their predicted grades.
Mr Cronin said: "Young people need to talk in real life to people. Having them on an app just brings more of their lives online also."
Stephen Morgan, education minister, said: "It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy."
The government estimates the £30m annual saving could be reinvested to fund over 600 new teachers in further education.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
I took a risk and ordered a storage shed on Shein, it was £600 less than others but there is one major flaw
MOST of us have ordered clothes and accessories from Shein before. But many will be shocked to know that you can buy large furniture, including beds and even sheds. A woman called Angelica took to social media and showed off the massive shed she had bought from the online retailer. The 12x10ft metal storage shed looked perfect in the pictures, so she decided to take the risk and get it shipped to her house. It cost her just £471, and she revealed it was a lot less than other sheds she had looked at. In the clip, Angelica said: "We bought a storage house from Shein and this is what we got." The giant container came to her in three boxes and she admitted some were damaged. "It came with a little surprise," she added as she moved one of the boxes to unveil a huge spider. Ignoring the critter, she went on to unpack the rest of the boxes and was pleasantly surprised to see nothing was missing. Angelica then went on to build the shed and was pleased to see it all come together. "Base ready. Walls ready. Roof ready. Doors ready," she added. "I actually liked it." I'm a single mum sick of soft play costs so turned my shed into a mini one The shed was so roomy many suggested it could be used as a studio house. But others noticed there was a major flaw with the building. The clip went viral with over 8 million views on her TikTok account @ angelica_torresramos, and many realised the shed came without any type of flooring. One person wrote: "What about the floor? Everything is going to get wet when it rains." Do I need planning permission to convert my shed? CONVERTING an existing shed or outbuilding into a self-contained living space will usually require you apply for planning permission. However, there is a "loophole" Brits can use to convert outbuildings into a tiny home without permission. Planning expert Martin Gaine from Just Planning warned the conversion process is far easier than you may think. Speaking to The Sun, the Chartered Town Planner of 14 years' experience explained: " An outbuilding can be built using 'permitted development rights ', meaning it does not need planning permission. "As long as you comply with the various restrictions and conditions." One of these is that the outbuilding can only be used for something 'ancillary' to your main living accommodation - examples include storage, a gym or a pool room. If the outbuilding is existing, converting it then into primary living accommodation IS allowed. Martin explained: "This is because internal changes to an existing building are not considered to be development at all under the Town and Country Planning Act. But like anything, there is one catch. The new living accommodation must still have some connection with your use of the main house. For instance, if your gran is living out there, she must still come into the house to eat. "Ooooh that's a studio apartment," penned a third. "It looks good!' claimed a fifth.
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
I made my own built-in outdoor pool using old palettes and a cheap paddling pool, everyone says it looks like a pro job
A DAD has shared how he built an outdoor pool using cheap buys. Pete Elliot took to social media to show off his DIY skills and people were left seriously impressed. 2 The dad said he made the pool for his son but was also reaping the benefits after slaving away on the build. He said: "Finally done. Not bad for around £315. Pretty much all the money went on the framework with £64 on varnish and a few quid on screws. "So glad I had a pallet load of timber from years ago that cost me £45, as that's the wood you see. "I didn't even scratch the surface with that wood either so the main bit you see cost under a fiver. "It is now my new favorite part of my garden." The pool looked lavish with its wooden frame and steps leading up to the decking and people were stunned by his crafting skills. He first varnished the wood before putting up the paddling pool and building the frame around it. Once it was done, he gave the wood a final varnish to ensure it didn't get spoilt by the water. Pete continued: "Hopefully many summers will be enjoyed sitting on it with my feet dangling in the pool with a beer in my hand." He later revealed that the pool was kept warm with a heated topper that also keeps it clean. Parents are scrambling to The Range to nab new kids' toys - there's inflatables, swimming pools and up to 40% off To keep the pool clean, he used a net to fish out any debris as well as chlorine tables and pool algae cleaner. The chuffed dad also said he would only keep the paddling pool up for summer and put it away when it gets cold again. The post was shared on the Facebook group, Garden Makeover Ideas On A Budget, and people were quick to praise the dad for his DIY skills. One person wrote: "Absolutely awesome, and the fact you built it probably gives you a sense of achievement, congrats." Swimming safety advice Experts have revealed some of their top advice for both adults and kids heading to the water this summer: How to stay safe at the beach Gareth Morrison, Head of Water Safety at the RNLI said: "If you find yourself being swept out to sea in a rip, try to relax and float until you are free from the rip and you can then swim to safety. "If you see someone else in danger, alert a lifeguard or call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coastguard." How to stay safe at the swimming pool Tiny Hearts Education, former paramedic and CEO Nikki Jurcutz said: "Always put your little one in bright or contrasting colours that would be easy to find in an emergency. "It only takes 20 seconds to drown, little tips like this could save a life". An Auqabliss spokesperson added: ' Swimming toys such as noodles, dive rings, floaties and beach balls can be dangerous if left in the pool. ' Children may try to grab these from the pool's edge and fall in." How to stay safe at a waterpark Ali Beckman, Puddle Ducks Technical Director, said: "Never send a child down the slide on their own, not only are they going to be entering the slide pool area independently, they then have to exit the pool and wait for an adult. "And wave pools should be avoided until your child is really confident with water going over their faces and you know they are able to regain their feet independently. ' Waterparks are often very busy places and it's easy to lose sight of a child in a split second." "Brilliant, looks amazing," penned a third. Meanwhile a fourth said: "Stunning." "I love this,' claimed a fifth. Someone else added: 'Looks great I could do with one of those in my garden."
The Sun
6 hours ago
- The Sun
Lottery results LIVE: National Lottery Set For Life draw tonight, June 9, 2025
THE National Lottery Set For Life numbers are in and it's time to find out if you've won the top prize of £10,000 every month for 30 years. Could tonight's jackpot see you start ticking off that bucket list every month or building your own start-up as a budding entrepreneur? 1 You can find out by checking your ticket against tonight's numbers below. Good luck! The winning Set For Life numbers are: 07, 31, 36, 39, 44 and the Life Ball is 01. The first National Lottery draw was held on November 19 1994 when seven winners shared a jackpot of £5,874,778. The largest amount ever to be won by a single ticket holder was £42million, won in 1996. Gareth Bull, a 49-year-old builder, won £41million in November, 2020 and ended up knocking down his bungalow to make way for a luxury manor house with a pool. £1.308 billion (Powerball) on January 13 2016 in the US, for which three winning tickets were sold, remains history's biggest lottery prize £1.267 billion (Mega Million) a winner from South Carolina took their time to come forward to claim their prize in March 2019 not long before the April deadline £633.76 million (Powerball draw) from a winner from Wisconsin £625.76 million (Powerball) Mavis L. Wanczyk of Chicopee, Massachusetts claimed the jackpot in August 2017 £575.53 million (Powerball) A lucky pair of winners scooped the jackpot in Iowa and New York in October 2018 Sue Davies, 64, bought a lottery ticket to celebrate ending five months of shielding during the pandemic — and won £500,000. Sandra Devine, 36, accidentally won £300k - she intended to buy her usual £100 National Lottery Scratchcard, but came home with a much bigger prize. The biggest jackpot ever to be up for grabs was £66million in January last year, which was won by two lucky ticket holders. Another winner, Karl managed to bag £11million aged just 23 in 1996. The odds of winning the lottery are estimated to be about one in 14million - BUT you've got to be in it to win it.
