GCSE results celebrated for young people across Norfolk

As results for GCSE students are announced, Norfolk County Council is praising the county’s young people for the commitment and determination they’ve shown after two years of disrupted education due to coronavirus.

GCSE results will be given through teacher

assessment, not through end-of-year exams, for the second year in a row. Grades are based on ongoing teacher assessment of what students have shown they know and can do based on what they have been taught.

Every year sees students facing decisions over their future, with a growing variety of options available for young people at 16. Norfolk County Council’s Help You Choose website is helping inform young people of their options, with a new automated chatbot feature enabling young people to discover which options may be best suited to them.

John Fisher, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services at Norfolk County Council, said “Every single one of our young people should be proud of what they’ve achieved this year. In incredibly difficult circumstances they’ve shown great tenacity in continuing their studies, despite all the disruption that coronavirus has thrown their way.”

“Today should also be a celebration of all our school and education staff as well; teachers, headteachers, assistants and support staff have worked hard throughout this year to help these students achieve their goals. I want to say a huge thank you to all those who have worked with young people to help them continue their learning this year. Well done to all involved!”

The Help You Choose website offers young people information and advice on different options if they are uncertain about their next steps or receive results below their expectation. Advice and support available ranges from CV writing, apprenticeship vacancies, and information about different careers. It also has space for parents to help them understand the different options for their child.