Responding to the government's announcement of a digital education record pilot which means Year 11 pupils in Greater Manchester and West Midlands will receive GCSE results via an app this summer, James Bowen, assistant general secretary at school leaders’ union NAHT, said:

“It makes a lot of sense to look into modernising how exam results are handled and any moves to cut bureaucracy and costs are welcome.

“It is vital that any changes work for schools and colleges, as well as pupils, at what is always a busy, pressurised time for school leaders and their staff.

“We are therefore pleased that the app is being piloted, and it is important that this is done carefully, with seamless support for students and schools should any issues arise, and swift action to learn lessons from these.

"When we are dealing with something as important as exam results it is crucial that the government gets this absolutely right.”