When I read the government’s announcement about modernising exam records with a new digital Education Record App, it instantly took me back to 2010 — the day I went to collect my GCSE results.
I still remember it so clearly. Walking into school that morning with butterflies in my stomach, trying to act calm while my heart raced. The mix of dread and excitement was overwhelming. Would I have done well? Had all those late nights paid off? And then came the moment — opening the envelope, seeing the grades, and feeling that wave of pride rush over me. It was a feeling I’ll never forget.
What made it even more special was sharing that moment with friends. Comparing results, celebrating together, comforting each other when things didn’t go quite as planned — those are experiences that go far beyond the grades themselves. And that’s why I’m genuinely glad that this new app isn’t trying to replace that tradition. The excitement of results day, the nerves, the joy of achievement — those moments deserve to stay exactly as they are.
Where this new approach really shines is in everything that comes after results day.
We’ve all been there — years later, applying for a job or a professional qualification, suddenly being asked for certificates you haven’t seen in ages. You dig through drawers, old folders, boxes in the loft… only to realise they might be lost forever. It’s stressful, frustrating, and completely unnecessary in a digital world.
This is where the new app feels like a genuinely positive step forward. No more lost certificates. No more panicked searches when a job role or registration process requires proof of qualifications. Everything in one secure place, accessible when you need it most.
From a recruiter’s perspective, this change is equally welcome. Anything that makes the application and registration process easier for candidates is a win. When people can quickly and confidently provide their exam records, it reduces delays, removes barriers, and makes the whole experience smoother for everyone involved.
So while I’ll always treasure the memory of collecting my results in person — the nerves, the pride, the shared excitement — I’m excited about what this modernisation means for the future. It’s the perfect balance: keeping the tradition that matters, while using technology to remove the frustrations that don’t.
What do you think? Should more processes move to digital while keeping traditions alive?"
- Chantelle Hopes, Education Recruitment Consultant in East Anglia
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