Today, further education colleges handed out thousands of results across a range of level 3 qualifications - including Btecs and A levels. 

While some welcomed a number of students to campus for that, others moved the entire operation online for a second year. 

Three college leaders set out what the day has been like. 

Jo Maher, principal of Loughborough College

Loughborough College took a hybrid event where students were emailed results but were able to attend celebration breakfasts at the college. 

At Loughborough, around 350 students received A-level results, while 1,500 got vocational results. 

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“Among the students, there is a lot of relief,” says Maher, despite the fact that many vocational students have an idea of what their grade will be before results day.

“FE is a very diverse sector and we want to make sure we promote the very best of what FE does,” she adds - and that is irrespective of what they study. The resilience students showed throughout the pandemic, she says, “has been phenomenal”. 

Darren Hankey, principal of Hartlepool College

At Hartlepool, all students were receiving their results via email today. Today’s national focus on A levels, which the college does not offer, concerns Hankey. “It is almost like [the other level 3 qualifications] are forgotten about,” he says. 

Alongside results day, college staff now have to grapple with getting the college ready for the new term, including a system of regular Covid testing, carrying out risk assessments and also dealing with the impact of national and regional policies and initiatives affecting the college. 

These, Hankey says, range from the College Collaboration Fund to Local Skills Improvement Plans to town and city deals. 

The principal wants to pay tribute to his staff, saying the smooth running of results day would not have been possible without their flexibility and commitment. 

Chris Caddamy, head of registry at City College Norwich

City College Norwich also chose not to host any onsite celebrations, instead moving operations, including services supporting students, online. 

Chris Caddamy says they have had fewer enquiries from students than expected - something he believes is due to the TAGs process meaning many students were aware of their expected grade before results day. 

For next year, he personally would like to see a blended approach of onsite and remote - using the efficiency of this year’s system with the opportunity to celebrate with students in person. “It is nice having the buzz about the place,” he says. “But for those students who need a bit of support, it is right to have remote services in place.”