From this summer, Year 11 students across England will be able to view their GCSE results on their phones for the first time, thanks to the national rollout of the Education Record app. The move aims to modernise how young people access exam results, speed up college enrolment, and cut unnecessary paperwork for schools and colleges.
The Education Record app will give students lifetime access to their results at their fingertips, whilst also providing employers with clear, accurate education history, reducing reliance on paper certificates that can be lost. Schools and colleges can also save up to £30 million annually in administrative costs once the app is fully implemented.
Students will still attend school on results day to meet teachers and receive their grades in person, but their results will later appear on the app for permanent access.
The app will allow schools and colleges to quickly identify students needing extra support, including:
- Those who must continue working towards English and maths GCSEs.
- Students with SEND requirements or qualifying for free school meals.
Savings from reduced admin costs will be reinvested into education budgets, freeing staff to focus on teaching and supporting learners.
Skills Minister Jacqui Smith said:
“No student should have to rifle through drawers looking for a crumpled certificate when they’re preparing for a job interview.
“This app will give young people instant access to their results whenever they need them while freeing up teachers and college staff from unnecessary paperwork.”
The Education Record app is part of the government’s Plan for Change, which aims to overhaul public sector technology. Work is underway to link the app with the GOV.UK Wallet, paving the way for citizens to store everything from exam results to driving licences in one secure digital space.
The rollout follows successful pilots in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands, where thousands of pupils have already benefited.
Schools and colleges are encouraged to sign up now ahead of August 2026 results days. Pupils in participating schools can download the app and set it up before results day.
The announcement aligns with the government’s Youth Guarantee, designed to support nearly one million young people into employment or learning opportunities and tackle high NEET rates.
Image credit: iStock
