Collecting your GCSE results is the culmination of 2 years of hard work. For many students it is a proud time to celebrate all they have achieved, however, for others the day can be hugely stressful and anxiety inducing. For this reason, many students wonder if they have to collect their results themselves, or if they can ask someone else to do it for them. Furthermore, students who are away on results day may wonder if they can have someone else collect the results. In this article we will explain the rules around collecting GCSE results.
If you want your parents to collect your results for you on results day, you will need to provide a signed letter stating that you have given permission. This makes them your proxy. You could also have friends, family, or guardians collect your results if you give permission. However ideally you should collect these results yourself, as schools will refuse to give out results if they are not absolutely sure they have your permission, which could delay you receiving your results.
While this should have given you a short answer to your questions about who is allowed to collect GCSE results, please read on for the full details.
Who can collect your GCSE results?
By far the most common way to collect your GCSE results is by yourself. This is to avoid giving results to the wrong person, as you should pick up your results from school where the teachers will be able to identify that it is you, they gave results to.
However, if you are unable to pick up your results for yourself, for example for medical or travel reasons then a friend, guardian, or family member can pick them up for you. This option could also include people who are too anxious about their results to pick them up for themselves, but some schools may not see this as a strong enough reason.
Each school will have a different procedure as to how you nominate a “proxy” or another person to pick results up for you. However, it usually involves a signed letter, or another document such as a form, which states that you consent to this person picking up your results.
On results day your proxy should ensure that they have photo ID with them when they go to collect your results, as well as a copy of your signed letter or form if possible. If your school is in doubt as to whether they have permission to collect your results, they will not be allowed, so make sure to plan ahead for this.
For more information about how you will get your GCSE results, including other alternative methods, please see this Think Student article. Further details about the possibility of getting your results online could also be found from Think Student here.
Can your parents get your GCSE results without your permission?
However, there is an exception to the above rule. Parents have the right to access a copy of their children’s educational record until their child turns 18. This includes GCSE results.
This means that until you are 18, your parents can access your education records at any time by requesting that the school tell them your results. Student consent is not required to share this information. Although some schools may choose to discuss with their students what information is being shared and when, this is not a legal requirement.
The only exception to this rule would be if a school considers sharing a student’s results could result in serious physical or mental harm to the student or another person. For example, if the school suspects a child may be abused after getting their results they may refuse to share them with parents. In cases such as this the school and parents are advised to seek legal advice.
More information on data sharing and schools can be found here, from the UK government website.
Is it possible to hide your GCSE results from your parents?
As stated above, ultimately it is not possible to hide your GCSE results from your parents if they want to know, as they can simply ask your school for them.
The only exception to this would be if your school suspects you or another person may be in serious mental or physical danger if they give your results to your parents. If you are concerned about this, contact your school or any trusted adult as soon as possible. They will be able to get you the help you need in a dangerous situation and support you through the process.
However, if you are simply worried about your results then the best course of action would be to speak to a teacher or another trusted adult. For example, your form tutor or head of year. These people are usually have many years of experience supporting students through results day, and will be able to advise you on what to do as well as to hopefully comfort you with guidance on what to do in your situation.