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.
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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.
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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.
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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)
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You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend – but only if you have certain names
Emily Sergeant
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
Featured Image – Eaters Collective (via Unsplash)
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BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World
Emily Sergeant
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.
That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.
Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC
“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”
Fancy it then?
Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Emily Sergeant -
22nd August 2024 
