The Department for Education (DfE) has announced plans for digital exam certificates and a new Education Record app.
It said the digital education records will do away with the need to pass on paper files when young people leave school or college, providing savings of up to £30 million per year.
The app will initially be used for the GCSE results of more than 95,000 young people in Greater Manchester and the West Midlands this summer, ahead of a future nation roll out. They will be able to use it when applying for further education, apprenticeships or employment.
Education Minister Stephen Morgan said: “It is high time exam records were brought into the 21st century, and this pilot will allow schools and colleges to focus on what they do best: teaching the next generation rather than being bogged down in bureaucracy.
“This government is slashing red tape through our Plan for Change to drive growth, cut admin for teachers and give tens of thousands of young people more opportunities to get on in skilled careers.”
Positive feedback
Mark Giles, principal at the Hathershaw College school, said: “We were proud to support the DfE last summer with the initial trial. The support from the DfE was excellent and the feedback from students and staff was very positive as the education record was accurate, verifiable and could be presented to providers without delay.
“We believe this will reduce administrative burdens on schools, and in the future could also be utilised by parents of younger children to support transition from primary to secondary school.”
