There are two nationally set results days on Thursdays in August, for A Levels and GCSEs. On these days, students receive their Provisional Statement of Results. This is a statement of grades and marks. It is provisional in that it is subject to change following any requests for re-marks, etc.
The dates for 2024 are: 15 August (A Level) and 22 August (GCSE)
All exam boards publish their result on these days, other than CIE (Cambridge) which also publishes its IGCSE results around A Level results day.
We strongly recommends that pupils plan to be available on these days to come in to School to discuss next steps and any necessary re-marks. Staff are available on these days for discussion and advice
Results are available on Parent and Student Portals for reference purposes throughout the year, apart from the period immediately around results publication.
The exam boards offer various services during a short window after the release of results, which are chargeable and must be invoked via the Exam Office. The include:-
• Having a script clerically re-checked (i.e. were the marks added up correctly?)
• Having a script re-marked (also known as an enquiry about results – EAR)
• Having a script returned for inspection.
Cheadle Hulme School rarely suggests the first of these, given the automated systems employed.
A re-mark is undertaken by a more senior examiner. The resultant mark can remain the same, go up or go down – and it is this revised mark that is carried forward regardless. School therefore requires the student’s consent in order to proceed with an enquiry, which is given by completing the relevant form made available from Results Day.
Only an examiner-marked script can be re-marked; coursework that has been assessed in School cannot be re-marked.
A re-mark can be requested in conjunction with the return of a copy of the script, which will indicate the original and re-marked marking. Clearly, it will also show what was written, as opposed to what was remembered to have been written.
There is a priority service for A Level students whose place in Higher Education rests on the result of a (successful) re-mark. This is available for one week only following Results Day. The sooner such a request is submitted, the sooner it will return; a strong reason for being available in School on Results Day.
Re-marks have a target turnaround of 30 days (18 days for priority). In practice, the sooner a request is submitted the better (they are processed in order), and turnarounds are typically 5-15 days.
A script can be returned for future reference. Such scripts are not normally returned until October after the results enquiry window has closed. Once requested, it is difficult to seek a re-mark.
There is a priority service for A Level students, available for one week only following Results Day. This will return the copy of a script in time to have it assessed (perhaps in conjunction with the relevant teacher), discussed and then a request made for a re-mark. This course of action is not suitable for students whose place in Higher Education depends on the outcome.
There is the possibility of an appeal process following the return of a re-mark. Any appeal requires the support and signature of the School and Head, and therefore cannot be undertaken lightly. The first level of appeal is required to show that the Exam Board has not followed its own processes.
The formal certificates from the Exam Boards are received into School around mid-October to mid-November.
These certificates are important documents. They often have to be shown as proof of achievement in years to come. They are difficult and expensive to replace.
Students who remain in School will be issued with their certificates through their form groups, in late November.
Students who have left School will be contacted via their parent/guardian email to arrange for them (or their nominated representative) to collect their certificates in person.