​Mark A-level results day safely, say college and council leaders

Students have been urged to mark A-level results day safely tomorrow, and not to break the coronavirus restrictions in Bury.

Traditional celebrations like hugs and large gatherings of college classmates on results day are not an option this year.

Meeting people you don’t live with is also banned in each other’s houses, in a private garden, or in an indoor venue like a pub or café, for anyone who lives in Bury, the rest of Greater Manchester and parts of Yorkshire and Lancashire.

College leaders and Bury Council understand that young people will want to meet up after receiving their A-level results, but they should remember:

• No more than six people (who don’t live together) can meet together in an outside location, like a pub beer garden or a park
• When you do meet with other people, you should stay well apart (at least two metres)
• If you are at a venue like a pub or a cafe, please provide your contact details in case NHS Test and Trace needs to contact you.

Most students will not be attending college in person to collect their results, instead receiving them online. Social distancing measures will be in place for those students who do attend.

A spokesperson for Holy Cross College said: “We are always incredibly proud of all our students’ achievements on results day, but we recognise that, sadly, this year they cannot celebrate these in the traditional way.

“We understand their frustration, but it remains so important that students, like everyone else, follow the social distancing rules to prevent a further rise in infections.

“We would say to our students that we understand that you will want to meet up, but please do that in a safe place, with no more than six people, and while staying at least two metres apart.”

And a Bury College spokesperson added: "The college is proud of its wonderfully resilient students who have positively engaged in their blended learning and adapted to learning safely during this unprecedented period.

"There will be many individuals who wish to celebrate their significant achievements and results at this time. We urge all who do so to follow the current safety and hygiene guidance and celebrate in a safe manner.”

Students, like everyone else in Bury, are urged to help stop the spread of coronavirus in our community:

• Wash or sanitise your hands thoroughly
• Wear a face covering when inside venues
• If you get symptoms, self-isolate with the people you live with and book a test straight away.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Bury Council’s cabinet member for children and young people, said: “We know that infection rates are rising more quickly among young people than older age groups.

“This puts older people, for example students’ grandparents, at risk of serious harm if they take the virus home.

“None of us wants to see further restrictions imposed, or another lockdown, so I urge students on results day to be proud of what they have achieved and to ensure that, if they do get together with their friends, they do so safely.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 12 August 2020.

Note to editors

Mental health support is available to young people in Greater Manchester: If you’re worried about your exam results there are free digital resources to help:

Shout. With this 24/7 crisis text messaging service you can send a text message any time of day or night wherever you are – every conversation is with a human being. Just text GM to 85258:

• You don’t need an app or data
• There’s no registration process
• It’s silent and won’t appear on your phone bill
• Confidential and anonymous.

Kooth for children and young people aged 11 to 18yrs. You can:

• Chat to friendly counsellors
• Read articles written by young people
• Get support from the Kooth community https://www.kooth.com/

You can also find information, resources and other places you can get help and support on our website and information about your local mental health and wellbeing services: https://hub.gmhsc.org.uk/mental-health