Students at schools and colleges across Manchester have received their A Level, BTEC and other vocational exam results today after sitting their first set of public exams before the summer.

Their achievements come in the face of countless challenges caused by Covid over the last two years.

Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Early Years, Children, and Young People, Manchester City Council, said:  “The last two years have been challenging on so many fronts for young people.  They should be very proud of themselves for everything they have achieved during this time.

“For those who got the results they need to go on to university, an apprenticeship, or employment – well done, that’s brilliant.

“For those who didn’t, schools and colleges across the city are working hard to support them through this and help them work out their next steps.  There is a future pathway for everyone, and we’re determined that in Manchester every young person will succeed and no young person will slip through the cracks.”

Although the difficulties of the last two years during the pandemic have been a challenge for everyone, young people have been hit particularly hard – which is why the council has dedicated this year to young people through its Our Year campaign, to help boost young people’s resilience and create more activities, opportunities, and support for them. Schools throughout the city are playing a key part in this.

Mark McElwee, Headteacher at Parrs Wood High School, Didsbury, said: “Whilst the majority of our students got the results we thought they would, there is no doubt that every single one of them had the odds stacked against them this year.

“With no GCSEs to help prepare them for sitting public exams, repeated lockdowns, illness, and for some the loss of family members to Covid, their resilience shines through in what they have achieved this year and we couldn’t be prouder of them.”