Thousands of teenagers across the UK will be waking up and heading into school to collect their GCSE results today.
Results day is by far one of the most important (and stressful) days of any student’s education, with all the hard work they’ve put in over the last two years finally coming to an end, opening the door to the future and setting them on the path towards the rest of their lives.
But how would us ‘grown-ups’ fare if we were faced with our GCSEs again today?
Whether you knew them as O-Levels, CSEs, the current GCSEs, or something else entirely, most of us would probably run for the hills if we were presented with the opportunity to flash-back to being 16 and have a go at sitting our final exams again, but in the current day… and nothing proves this to be true more than the findings from this recent study.
Ahead of the big day, online distance learning provider, Open Study College, surveyed the nation to find out just how many adults think they could realistically pass their GCSEs if they were to take them today.
ADVERTISEMENT
79% of UK adults reckon they wouldn’t pass their GCSE exams if they took them today / Credit: Unseen Studio (via Unsplash)
Surprisingly, as little as 21% of the respondents believed they would be successful, which leaves a whopping 79% of adults thinking they’d miss the mark.
Even more surprisingly, only a quarter (24%) think they’d pass the SATs taken in primary school.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the other side of the spectrum, a further 20% of those surveyed believed they would, in fact, get better results if they were to sit their exams today than they did back when they were actually 15 or 16, while 80% believed they would receive similar or worse results.
When it comes to the subjects UK adults said they would struggle with the most, maths and algebra came out on top at 80%, followed by chemistry at 66%, English language at 43%, and the basic concept of essay writing at 46%.
66% admitted they don’t use any of the skills taught in school in their day-to-day adult life.
ADVERTISEMENT
Samantha Rutter Bryant, who is the founder and CEO of Open Study College, said there is “so much pressure” placed on young people ahead of results day, adding: “While it is, of course, a very important time, it’s somewhat comforting to know that successful adults might even struggle with the school-aged exams.”
Good luck to anyone getting their results today… we couldn’t do what you’ve done (clearly).
Featured Image – MChe Lee (via Unsplash)
Trending
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
“This is for all the Patricias out there, see you at Sunset Cocktails to celebrate. Thank you.”
Featured Image – The Television Academy (via YouTube)
Trending
M&S launches new Too Good To Go partnership – with NINE Greater Manchester stores signed up
Emily Sergeant
M&S has finally decided to partner with food waste charity, Too Good To Go.
As of yesterday, a total of 350 M&S stores across the UK – including nine major sites in Greater Manchester – now offer new Too Good To Go ‘Surprise Bags’ that are made up of surplus bakery goodies, giving customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day directly from in-store bakeries.
The launch follows a trial in a select number of UK stores, and the Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies, and fresh bread.
The partnership with Too Good To Go is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to reduce surplus food and ensure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Greater Manchester stores that will be taking part in the new Too Good To Go partnership include Manchester Market Street, Trafford Centre, Stockport, Spinningfields, Prestwich, Wigan Robin, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, and Ashton Moss.
Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for just £3.80.
Available Monday to Saturday, customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app, and collect them one hour before their local store closes.
“It’s great to be involved in this new launch with Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste,” commented Chris Parker, who is the Store Manager at M&S Bolton Middlebrook.
“Our in-store bakeries are incredibly popular with customers, and at the end of the day, customers will now be able to order and collect surprise bags offering fantastic surplus bakery products at great value.
“By finding new ways to re-purpose surplus products, we’re helping ensure more food is enjoyed rather than wasted. This partnership is another positive step towards reaching our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
Emily Sergeant -
22nd August 2024 
