In a wave of excitement and anticipation, approximately 9,600 Year 11 students across Leeds joyfully opened their GCSE results, marking a significant milestone in their academic journeys as they align with national expectations for Summer 2024. Leeds City Council, through its Start in Leeds platform and the warm congratulations from Councillor Helen Hayden, offers robust support for these young people as they courageously navigate their next steps in education, apprenticeships, or employment.
What support and next steps are available for students in Leeds after receiving their GCSE results?
After receiving GCSE results, Leeds students can access support via the Start in Leeds platform, which offers guidance on sixth forms, colleges, apprenticeships, and employment opportunities. The council’s Employment Hub and careers advisors provide further assistance, ensuring students make informed post-16 choices.
A Milestone for Leeds’ Young People
Every August, GCSE results day is a significant milestone for students across the UK, and this year, around 9,600 year 11 students in Leeds are opening their envelopes with anticipation and pride. This cohort, like their A-level counterparts the previous week, are receiving results that are broadly in line with national expectations for summer 2024. The return to pre-pandemic assessment methods has brought a sense of normalcy after the unprecedented disruptions of recent years.
This marks the third consecutive year in which GCSE grades have been determined solely by students’ performances in their official assessments. During the pandemic years of 2020-2022, alternative assessment methods were employed, including teacher-assessed grades, in response to school closures and the cancellation of exams. This resulted in a general increase in higher grades during those years. The current approach aims to maintain the rigour, consistency, and comparability of results across schools and cohorts.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, extended her congratulations to all students: “Congratulations to everyone who has taken their GCSEs this year for the hard work and effort that has gone into achieving these results. Taking exams is a difficult and stressful time but students have done themselves and the city proud. I’d like to also thank teaching staff and families who have supported our young people on their learning journeys to this point.”
Support for Students and Families
The emotional and psychological demands of GCSEs are significant, and students are not alone in their journeys. Teachers, support staff, and families across Leeds have played crucial roles in preparing students for these exams. Schools have offered revision sessions, wellbeing support, and guidance on managing exam stress, helping students to approach their assessments with confidence.
A special acknowledgment was made for the supportive community around looked after children, including social workers, fostering and kinship carers, independent visitors, residential staff, designated teachers, and the Virtual School team. Councillor Hayden added, “As corporate parents, we are also keen to say how proud we are of all the looked after children who are receiving GCSE results today and we also celebrate the social workers, fostering and kinship carers, independent visitors, residential staff, designated teachers and Virtual School team who supported them.”
For those who did not achieve the outcomes they hoped for, or are uncertain about their next steps, a wealth of support is available. Leeds City Council’s Start in Leeds platform offers information and advice about post-16 learning opportunities, as well as connections to local schools, colleges, and apprenticeship providers. For additional guidance, students are encouraged to consult with their school’s careers advisor or tap into the council’s Employment Hub and Leeds Pathways team.
Next Steps and Opportunities
With GCSE results in hand, many students are now considering their post-16 options. These might include:
- Continuing education: Enrolling in sixth forms, colleges, or further education institutions for A-levels or vocational qualifications.
- Apprenticeships: Combining paid work with study to gain industry-recognised qualifications and hands-on experience.
- Employment or training: Accessing support to enter the workforce directly, possibly through traineeships or employment with study components.
The Start in Leeds Next Steps page is specifically designed to signpost learners to the council’s Employment Hub and the Leeds Pathways team. Both services offer in-depth advice and guidance for those still deciding on their future path. For looked after children, the Virtual School team continues to provide targeted support, working with social workers to ensure every child has the chance to pursue their preferred post-16 pathway.
While the cancellation of primary SATs in the academic years 2019/20 and 2020/21 means there will be no ‘Progress 8’ data for this year’s or next year’s GCSE cohorts, schools remain committed to supporting all students to achieve their full potential. The Department for Education has confirmed there will be no replacement progress measure for these year groups, focusing instead on ensuring robust support for pupils’ next steps.
The Impact of Changing Assessment Methods
The legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape the educational landscape in Leeds and beyond. The years 2020-2022 saw significant shifts in how students were assessed, with teacher-assessed grades and centre-assessed grades replacing traditional exams. This led to a noticeable increase in the proportion of top grades awarded nationwide. The return to externally-marked exams has helped restore public confidence in the fairness and consistency of the system, but also brought renewed focus to the pressures students face.
For students who completed their GCSEs this year, the absence of key stage 2 SATs – cancelled during their final years of primary school – means that Progress 8, the main measure of progress between key stage 2 and key stage 4, is unavailable. Published annually in November, this measure has been a key accountability tool for schools, tracking how much progress pupils make during secondary education. The Department for Education’s decision not to implement a replacement measure underscores the unique circumstances faced by this cohort.
As students, families, and educators adapt to these evolving assessment frameworks, a common thread remains: the commitment to helping every young person in Leeds succeed. The city’s collaborative approach, encompassing schools, families, local government, and community partners, underscores the importance of shared responsibility in education. These collective efforts are evident in the supportive infrastructure available to all students, particularly those facing additional challenges.
Resources and Guidance for the Future
Leeds City Council and its partners offer a comprehensive range of resources for students contemplating their next steps. The Start in Leeds platform is a central hub, providing:
- Information on educational courses and apprenticeships
- Guidance on employment and training opportunities
- Access to careers advice and personal development resources
Students can explore the Next Steps page for further support, including contact details for careers advisors, information on open days at local colleges, and links to apprenticeship providers. The council’s Employment Hub and Leeds Pathways team are also equipped to give one-on-one guidance to young people weighing their options.
For looked after children, the Virtual School team collaborates closely with social workers to provide bespoke advice and support. This tailored approach ensures that vulnerable students have the resources and encouragement they need to move confidently into further education, training, or employment. The emphasis on inclusiveness and personalised support reflects Leeds’ wider commitment to ensuring every young person has the best possible start to adult life.
- Approximately 9,600 Year 11 students in Leeds received their GCSE results, broadly aligning with national expectations for Summer 2024.
- Leeds City Council, through its Start in Leeds platform, offers robust support for students’ next steps in education, apprenticeships, or employment.
- This year’s GCSE results mark a return to pre-pandemic assessment methods, with grades determined solely by students’ performance in official exams.
- Councillor Helen Hayden congratulated all students, teaching staff, and families for their hard work and support.
- Comprehensive resources, including the Start in Leeds platform and the council’s Employment Hub, are available to help students navigate post-16 options.