gcse grades are expected to return to pre—pandemic levels when results are published this morning. a fifth body taken ashore. divers are still searching for one who remains missing after a luxury yacht sank off sicily. democrats get a pep talk from coach tim walz, as kamala harris�*s running mate rallies the crowd to act now. do we have the right team? kamala harris is tough, experienced and ready. gcse passes across the whole of england, wales and northern ireland have fallen for a third year running. 67.6% of all grades were at four and above, from xt 8.2% last year. it's similar to 2019, the last year. it's similar to 2019, the last year exams were sappy for covid. it

is far below what it was in 2020 and in 2021, when exams were cancelled and the results were based on teacher assessments. let's go to our correspondent at a school in manchester. talk us through the reaction on such a big day for students across england, wales and northern ireland.— northern ireland. absolutely, this is one of the _ northern ireland. absolutely, this is one of the life _ northern ireland. absolutely, this is one of the life moments, - northern ireland. absolutely, this is one of the life moments, when | northern ireland. absolutely, this. is one of the life moments, when you get your exam results. these are the first big exams that any student does. they are year 11, 15 and 16—year—olds, and we are here at the college, and you have seen lots of students coming in through here, and then they find the desk that has their surname and initials, and the teaching staff are here and are handing over the all—important brown envelope, which has their results in. and then the teachers will be talking to students. we can see some

of them gathered here. they have been here since 8am. they are discussing it with their friends, they have spent years studying to be able to do these exams. as you mentioned, this was also during covid, so when the student started it was year 7, just as covid started to hit. they have to do their secondary education either with covid, when we had remote learning, and then through the impact of it and then through the impact of it and they have now taken their gcses here. it was 8am that the results were allowed to be officially opened, and ijust want to play were allowed to be officially opened, and i just want to play you a little bit of what happened here in bolton at 8am. six, five, four, three, two, one. go

on. definite celebrations here. we have had the breaking news and ijust want to recap that, because we were allowed, 9.30, to give you a picture of the overall results. as you mentioned, gcse passes have fallen for the third year running. that is across england, wales and northern ireland. the 67.6% of all grades were 4, or c or above. i am saying that because there are different grading systems in england than wales and northern ireland. in england, transferred from what was for many years the system, where a and a* were top grades, now it is

numbered and 9 is the top grade you can get for a gcse in england. but the old a to e grades still exist in wales and northern ireland, so that is why we say 4 or c or above. it has dropped for the third year running, down from 68.2%, to 67.6%. it is more similar to 2019, which was before the pandemic. there are some regional variations. the steepest drop has actually been in northern ireland, where the figures are down from 86.6%, to 82%. in england, not much difference, it has to be said. 67.4%, down from 67.8%, and in wales, again, there has been and in wales, again, there has been a drop from 64.5%, to 61.7%. that is the overall picture in terms of grades. they are down. but it is

always to do with individual stories. and individual students. that is what matters today. it is your results that you get, rather than what anyone else gets. and we have some of the students with us, quite a few of them have turned up this morning. i will start with zane, who has been here from very early. what did you study? i did the normal gcse _ early. what did you study? i did the normal gcse is, _ early. what did you study? i did the normalgcse is, i— early. what did you study? i did the normal gcse is, i did _ early. what did you study? i did the normal gcse is, i did triple - normal gcse is, i did triple science, statistics, geography and french. ~ . , , science, statistics, geography and french. ~ ., , , french. what results did you get? fortunately _ french. what results did you get? fortunately i _ french. what results did you get? fortunately i got _ french. what results did you get? fortunately i got all _ french. what results did you get? fortunately i got all 9s, _ french. what results did you get? fortunately i got all 9s, which - french. what results did you get? fortunately i got all 9s, which i i french. what results did you get? | fortunately i got all 9s, which i am grateful for. fortunately i got all 9s, which i am grateful for-— grateful for. what are you planning to do next? — grateful for. what are you planning to do next? two _ grateful for. what are you planning to do next? two go _ grateful for. what are you planning to do next? two go to _ grateful for. what are you planning to do next? two go to college - grateful for. what are you planning to do next? two go to college and | grateful for. what are you planning i to do next? two go to college and do a levels, science, _ to do next? two go to college and do a levels, science, physics— to do next? two go to college and do a levels, science, physics and - a levels, science, physics and maths. ., . ., ., ~ , maths. you decided to do a-levels rather than — maths. you decided to do a-levels rather than vocational _ maths. you decided to do a-levels rather than vocational courses? . maths. you decided to do a-levels i rather than vocational courses? how nervous where you last night? i was uuite nervous where you last night? i was

quite nervous. _ nervous where you last night? i was quite nervous, life _ nervous where you last night? i was quite nervous, life goes _ nervous where you last night? i was quite nervous, life goes on. - nervous where you last night? i was quite nervous, life goes on. that. nervous where you last night? i was quite nervous, life goes on. that is| quite nervous, life goes on. that is a nice way — quite nervous, life goes on. that is a nice way to _ quite nervous, life goes on. that is a nice way to put — quite nervous, life goes on. that is a nice way to put it. _ quite nervous, life goes on. that is a nice way to put it. sorry, - quite nervous, life goes on. that is a nice way to put it. sorry, i- a nice way to put it. sorry, i forgot your name. seana, what did you study? forgot your name. seana, what did ou stud ? . forgot your name. seana, what did you study?— forgot your name. seana, what did ou stud ? . , you study? science, spanish, further maths and history. _ you study? science, spanish, further maths and history. how _ you study? science, spanish, further maths and history. how did - you study? science, spanish, further maths and history. how did you - you study? science, spanish, further maths and history. how did you do? | you study? science, spanish, further| maths and history. how did you do? i not 9 in maths and history. how did you do? i got 9 in history. _ maths and history. how did you do? i got 9 in history, i passed _ got 9 in history, i passed everything. got 9 in history, i passed everything-— got 9 in history, i passed eve hina. . ., ., got 9 in history, i passed eve hina. . . ., ., got 9 in history, i passed eve hina. ., ., ., ., ., everything. what are you going to go on to study? — everything. what are you going to go on to study? a-levels? _ everything. what are you going to go on to study? a-levels? yes, - on to study? a-levels? yes, a-levels, — on to study? a-levels? yes, a-levels, it's _ on to study? a-levels? yes, a-levels, it's better - on to study? a-levels? yes, a-levels, it's better for - on to study? a-levels? yes, a-levels, it's better for me | on to study? a-levels? yes, - a-levels, it's better for me than a—levels, it's better for me than vocational— a—levels, it's better for me than vocational would be. a-levels, it's better for me than vocational would be.— a-levels, it's better for me than vocational would be. vocationalwould be. cheryl, what did ou vocationalwould be. cheryl, what did you do? _ vocationalwould be. cheryl, what did you do? spanish, _ vocationalwould be. cheryl, what did you do? spanish, history, - did you do? spanish, history, computer— did you do? spanish, history, computer science. _ did you do? spanish, history, computer science. that - did you do? spanish, history, | computer science. that sounds did you do? spanish, history, i computer science. that sounds a did you do? spanish, history, - computer science. that sounds a lot to me. computer science. that sounds a lot to me- how — computer science. that sounds a lot to me- how did _ computer science. that sounds a lot to me. how did you _ computer science. that sounds a lot to me. how did you do? _ computer science. that sounds a lot to me. how did you do? green - computer science. that sounds a lot to me. how did you do? green a - to me. how did you do? green a couple of 8s, a 9 and a 7. i am going to do and a level in computer

development. how nervous were you last night? i development. how nervous were you last niuht? .,, �* development. how nervous were you lastniuht? �* ., , last night? i wasn't so nervous, i was not thinking _ last night? i wasn't so nervous, i was not thinking about _ last night? i wasn't so nervous, i was not thinking about it - last night? i wasn't so nervous, i was not thinking about it until. was not thinking about it until today— was not thinking about it until today when— was not thinking about it until today when it _ was not thinking about it until today when it kicked - was not thinking about it until today when it kicked in. - was not thinking about it until today when it kicked in. howl was not thinking about it until today when it kicked in. how are you auoin to today when it kicked in. how are you going to celebrate? _ today when it kicked in. how are you going to celebrate? i'm _ today when it kicked in. how are you going to celebrate? i'm not - today when it kicked in. how are you going to celebrate? i'm not sure - going to celebrate? i'm not sure et. how going to celebrate? i'm not sure yet- how did _ going to celebrate? i'm not sure yet. how did you _ going to celebrate? i'm not sure yet. how did you do? _ going to celebrate? i'm not sure yet. how did you do? better - going to celebrate? i'm not sure | yet. how did you do? better than going to celebrate? i'm not sure i yet. how did you do? better than i thou:ht. i yet. how did you do? better than i thought- i did _ yet. how did you do? better than i thought. i did three _ yet. how did you do? better than i thought. i did three core _ yet. how did you do? better than i thought. i did three core subjects, | thought. i did three core subjects, history, gcse pe. thought. i did three core sub'ects, history. ease mi history, gcse pe. quite sporty, then? what— history, gcse pe. quite sporty, then? what do _ history, gcse pe. quite sporty, then? what do you _ history, gcse pe. quite sporty, then? what do you want - history, gcse pe. quite sporty, then? what do you want to - history, gcse pe. quite sporty, then? what do you want to do | history, gcse pe. quite sporty, l then? what do you want to do in couege? then? what do you want to do in colleae? ,, , ., ,. . ., then? what do you want to do in colleue? ,. . ., , , ,, college? sport science and business. nina is here- — college? sport science and business. nina is here. you _ college? sport science and business. nina is here. you have _ college? sport science and business. nina is here. you have represented l nina is here. you have represented great britain at a dance? when did you do that?— you do that? 2023, 'ust last year. you are an athlete, — you do that? 2023, just last year. you are an athlete, dance - you do that? 2023, just last year. you are an athlete, dance is - you do that? 2023, just last year. you are an athlete, dance is very| you are an athlete, dance is very athletic. what did you study at

couege? athletic. what did you study at colle . e? . ., athletic. what did you study at colleae? , , . , athletic. what did you study at colleae? , , ., ., college? the core sub'ects, and i did dance and h college? the core subjects, and i did dance and spanish. _ college? the core subjects, and i did dance and spanish. how- college? the core subjects, and i i did dance and spanish. how nervous were ou did dance and spanish. how nervous were you last _ did dance and spanish. how nervous were you last night? _ did dance and spanish. how nervous were you last night? not _ did dance and spanish. how nervous were you last night? not that i were you last night? not that nervous! quite _ were you last night? not that nervous! quite chilled? i were you last night? not that nervous! quite chilled? howl were you last night? not that i nervous! quite chilled? how will were you last night? not that - nervous! quite chilled? how will you celebrate? finlay _ nervous! quite chilled? how will you celebrate? finlay is _ nervous! quite chilled? how will you celebrate? finlay is here. _ nervous! quite chilled? how will you celebrate? finlay is here. how- celebrate? finlay is here. how nervous were you?— celebrate? finlay is here. how nervous were you? terrified, i did not want to _ nervous were you? terrified, i did not want to sleep _ nervous were you? terrified, i did not want to sleep last _ nervous were you? terrified, i did not want to sleep last night. i i nervous were you? terrified, i did | not want to sleep last night. i kept getting out of bed and going for a wonder. i did computer science, it, geography and spanish. and an english baccalaureate. that geography and spanish. and an english baccalaureate.- geography and spanish. and an english baccalaureate. that is one ofthe english baccalaureate. that is one of the new ones, _ english baccalaureate. that is one of the new ones, explain - english baccalaureate. that is one of the new ones, explain what i english baccalaureate. that is one | of the new ones, explain what that involves? . of the new ones, explain what that involves? , ., ., ., involves? english language and literature. _ involves? english language and literature, you _ involves? english language and literature, you can _ involves? english language and literature, you can do - involves? english language and| literature, you can do combined science i get two grades for that, then you can do maths. taste science i get two grades for that, then you can do maths. we talked about how you _ then you can do maths. we talked about how you started _ then you can do maths. we talked about how you started your- then you can do maths. we talked i about how you started your secondary education when covid hit, how did that affect you in your secondary

education? i that affect you in your secondary education?— that affect you in your secondary education? ., �* ~ ., , . education? i don't think it affected me that much. _ education? i don't think it affected me that much. during _ education? i don't think it affected me that much. during covid, i i education? i don't think it affected l me that much. during covid, i came to school in yer 7 and got packages of work. in year 8, that is when i had my classes again. hour of work. in year 8, that is when i had my classes again.— of work. in year 8, that is when i had my classes again. how will you celebrate? — had my classes again. how will you celebrate? sleep _ had my classes again. how will you celebrate? sleep and _ had my classes again. how will you celebrate? sleep and then - had my classes again. how will you celebrate? sleep and then go i had my classes again. how will you celebrate? sleep and then go out l had my classes again. how will you i celebrate? sleep and then go out for a meal with — celebrate? sleep and then go out for a meal with my _ celebrate? sleep and then go out for a meal with my family _ celebrate? sleep and then go out for a meal with my family and _ celebrate? sleep and then go out for a meal with my family and friends. i a meal with my family and friends. long term aims, where next? i will t to do long term aims, where next? i will try to do on — long term aims, where next? i will try to do on a _ long term aims, where next? i will try to do on a project _ long term aims, where next? i will try to do on a project in _ long term aims, where next? in ii. try to do on a project in computer science or engineering, with a distinction in it that should not be an issue. ., , ., . ., an issue. long term, you decided not to no an issue. long term, you decided not to go down — an issue. long term, you decided not to go down the _ an issue. long term, you decided not to go down the total _ an issue. long term, you decided not to go down the total a-level- an issue. long term, you decided not to go down the total a-level route, i to go down the total a—level route, you want the practical side. what made you decide to do that? 0bviously i've got a classroom learning, but i think that i much preferred to do a job, a proper experience and a wage at the same time. . . experience and a wage at the same time. ., , ., ,.,

experience and a wage at the same time. ., , ., y., experience and a wage at the same time. ., , ., ,. i experience and a wage at the same time-— i did i time. paris, how did you do? i did ureat, time. paris, how did you do? i did treat, 8 time. paris, how did you do? i did great. 8 and _ time. paris, how did you do? i did great. 8 and 7 _ time. paris, how did you do? i did great, 8 and 7 across _ time. paris, how did you do? i did great, 8 and 7 across the - time. paris, how did you do? i did great, 8 and 7 across the board. l great, 8 and 7 across the board. what _ great, 8 and 7 across the board. what do — great, 8 and 7 across the board. what do you want to do? probably go into science — what do you want to do? probably go into science or— what do you want to do? probably go into science or it, _ what do you want to do? probably go into science or it, something - what do you want to do? probably go into science or it, something along i into science or it, something along those _ into science or it, something along those lines — into science or it, something along those lines. solving things, figuring _ those lines. solving things, figuring it out. that is what i do best _ figuring it out. that is what i do best. ., ., . figuring it out. that is what i do best. ., ., , figuring it out. that is what i do best. ., best. how nervous were you last niuht? best. how nervous were you last niht? i best. how nervous were you last night? i could — best. how nervous were you last night? i could not— best. how nervous were you last night? i could not sleep - best. how nervous were you last night? i could not sleep at i best. how nervous were you last night? i could not sleep at all. i best. how nervous were you last i night? i could not sleep at all. i'm on about two _ night? i could not sleep at all. i'm on about two hours _ night? i could not sleep at all. i'm on about two hours of— night? i could not sleep at all. i'm on about two hours of sleep. i night? i could not sleep at all. i'm on about two hours of sleep. but i night? i could not sleep at all. i'm| on about two hours of sleep. but it wasn't _ on about two hours of sleep. but it wasn't difficult, it was easy to open — wasn't difficult, it was easy to open up — wasn't difficult, it was easy to open up and look inside. how will ou open up and look inside. how will you celebrate? _ open up and look inside. how will you celebrate? tell _ open up and look inside. how will you celebrate? tell my _ open up and look inside. how will you celebrate? tell my family i open up and look inside. how will. you celebrate? tell my family what i did, then you celebrate? tell my family what i did. then go — you celebrate? tell my family what i did. then go out _ you celebrate? tell my family what i did, then go out with _ you celebrate? tell my family what i did, then go out with some - you celebrate? tell my family what i did, then go out with some friends i did, then go out with some friends and get _ did, then go out with some friends and get some food. | did, then go out with some friends and get some food.— did, then go out with some friends and get some food. i mentioned that the trades and get some food. i mentioned that the grades have _ and get some food. i mentioned that the grades have dropped _ and get some food. i mentioned that the grades have dropped for- and get some food. i mentioned that the grades have dropped for the i the grades have dropped for the third year in a row, let's get more on that with the education reporter vanessa clark, in salford. we had these figures across england, wales and northern ireland. explain what they show. i5

and northern ireland. explain what they show. is a and northern ireland. explain what the show. . and northern ireland. explain what the show. , ., they show. is a big day for students. _ they show. is a big day for students, but _ they show. is a big day for students, but if _ they show. is a big day for students, but if we - they show. is a big day for students, but if we step i they show. is a big day for i students, but if we step back they show. is a big day for - students, but if we step back and look at the national picture of the moment, in england we have seen a little bit of a drop, very similar to last year, about a.4%. in wales, it moves to about 3.5%. and that if you look at northern ireland, it is about 4.6%, the steepest drop. but this was expected, because if we cast our minds back to 2021, exams were cancelled, teachers assessed the grades and they were a little bit higher. there has been a concerted effort to bring the results back down. last year, we saw a steep drop in england, so we expect this year in wales and northern ireland we will see a bigger drop than england. wales, 2.8%. northern ireland, 4.6%. btec results are out as well. if we think about regional disparities, that is something else that came out this morning. in london, they remain at

the place where students get the biggest results, and the gap between the highest places like london at the north—east, the west midlands, it is widening. that is about 10%, that difference. a lot of people will be stepping back and seeing what exactly is going on there today. we must remember that it's notjust the gcse results, but also there are some btec courses and results out today as well?— today as well? there are about 372 vocational qualifications _ today as well? there are about 372 vocational qualifications such i today as well? there are about 372 vocational qualifications such as i vocational qualifications such as btec as being awarded today, becoming more and more popular. many students will decide to do more btecs, or do t levels. because the results have dipped slightly, there will be more resets in maths and english, particularly in england,

where it is compulsory to do and pasta grade 4, which is also known as c. many universities require that or even further education, go to six form, they require that. so we might have bigger numbers resetting. if cast your mind back, these students have had quite a difficult couple of years. the first year of secondary school, it was the lockdown, so it's encouraging to see the results but there are overlying issues like absenteeism, more resits, so experts will be analysing that. the absenteeism, more resits, so experts will be analysing that.— will be analysing that. the rest of our education _ will be analysing that. the rest of our education team _ will be analysing that. the rest of our education team have - will be analysing that. the rest of our education team have been i will be analysing that. the rest of i our education team have been posting with a lot of that detail the bbc

news website and app. if you want to check out what the differences are, you can find them there. we measured one of the biggest offices at northern ireland. let's head there and our ireland correspondent chris page is at a school in dungannon. brute page is at a school in dungannon. we are page is at a school in dungannon. - are being hosted at saint patrick's academy in dungannon, where several hundred of the 32,000 students in northern ireland have been getting their grades. i am joined northern ireland have been getting their grades. iamjoined by northern ireland have been getting their grades. i am joined by one of them. how have things been going for you? them. how have things been going for ou? , ., ., ., them. how have things been going for ou? ., ., , _ ., how you? good, and happy enough. how did ou feel you? good, and happy enough. how did you feel when — you? good, and happy enough. how did you feel when you _ you? good, and happy enough. how did you feel when you were _ you? good, and happy enough. how did you feel when you were doing _ you? good, and happy enough. how did you feel when you were doing that i you feel when you were doing that walk behind me through the doors and “p walk behind me through the doors and up to the desk to get a brown envelope? i up to the desk to get a brown envelope?— up to the desk to get a brown envelo e? .,, ., , ., ., envelope? i was nervous enough, not as nervous as — envelope? i was nervous enough, not as nervous as when _ envelope? i was nervous enough, not as nervous as when i _ envelope? i was nervous enough, not as nervous as when i was _ envelope? i was nervous enough, not as nervous as when i was doing i envelope? i was nervous enough, not as nervous as when i was doing the i as nervous as when i was doing the exams. _ as nervous as when i was doing the exams. but — as nervous as when i was doing the exams, but still nervous. and as nervous as when i was doing the exams, but still nervous.— exams, but still nervous. and what is next for — exams, but still nervous. and what is next for you? — exams, but still nervous. and what is next for you? i _ exams, but still nervous. and what is next for you? i will— exams, but still nervous. and what is next for you? i will come - exams, but still nervous. and what is next for you? i will come back i exams, but still nervous. and what is next for you? i will come back to j is next for you? i will come back to school, is next for you? i will come back to school. but — is next for you? i will come back to school. but i _ is next for you? i will come back to school, but i haven't _ is next for you? i will come back to school, but i haven't decided i is next for you? i will come back to school, but i haven't decided what| school, but i haven't decided what i am going _ school, but i haven't decided what i

am going to — school, but i haven't decided what i am going to do. a school, but i haven't decided what i am going to do-_ school, but i haven't decided what i am going to do. a man with plenty of choice because _ am going to do. a man with plenty of choice because you _ am going to do. a man with plenty of choice because you have _ am going to do. a man with plenty of choice because you have done - am going to do. a man with plenty of choice because you have done so i choice because you have done so well, a couple of years of your a—levels and a.s. the principle is with me, a huge day in the lives of students, what is it like for teachers? pole the teachers are back at the start of next week, but they have been sent the results and they are very happy and proud. it's a tough few years for students of the stuff backing them, so they will be delighted to come in and see the class successes and the individual stories behind the grades, getting the students the best grades is what they are about and they work very hard to do that. they will be delighted. it is quiet here now, but they will be as happy as the parents of students coming through the doors this morning. for anybody who can remember getting their results, it brings it back to you, see dozens of students coming up you, see dozens of students coming up and going to the desk. two years

of studying for gcses, it is the day when it all happens? brute of studying for gcses, it is the day when it all happens?— of studying for gcses, it is the day when it all happens? we had the year 11s in, the when it all happens? we had the year 11s in. they are _ when it all happens? we had the year 11s in, they are now _ when it all happens? we had the year 11s in, they are now doing _ when it all happens? we had the year 11s in, they are now doing modules i 11s in, they are now doing modules and more exams than previously. you have both year groups together is lovely. great celebration, one of pride and excitement. there are names beforehand, but the overwhelming majority of students have done so well.— have done so well. what is the a- roach have done so well. what is the approach to — have done so well. what is the approach to gcses? _ have done so well. what is the approach to gcses? so - have done so well. what is the approach to gcses? so many i have done so well. what is the i approach to gcses? so many papers that students do, so many subjects on offer, you have been telling me, in your school. how have you seen it evolve up your teaching career? the terminal evolve up your teaching career? tue: terminal exams, evolve up your teaching career? tie: terminal exams, a lot evolve up your teaching career? ti: terminal exams, a lot of the subjects will be 30% or 40% of year 11. the money is in the bank, they have completed the teaching of learning, which has been very good. they do the assessment of the exam that they can look at that success, and move on. year its will have all

of their english gcses completed by next year. they have focused on what they will do for the next level. well up to you and your colleagues, congratulations to you and your classmates stops 32,000 students in northern ireland are getting their gcse grades. 31% got a a* or a, it is comparative to before the pandemic. so this is in line with expectations from the exam boards in northern ireland and across a gland and wales. —— england and wales. we have had some reaction from the chief regulator, who looks after the gcses. he has said that the results show a pattern of dependable and trustworthy results, they are saying stop this year, the first

post—pandemic opportunity for year on year gcse results are broadly in line with last year. we have also been talking a little earlier to the schools minister on bbc breakfast. this is what she had to say about this year's exam results. i believe that every — this year's exam results. i believe that every part — this year's exam results. i believe that every part of _ this year's exam results. i believe that every part of the _ this year's exam results. i believe that every part of the country - that every part of the country should have all the opportunities available to them, but we see it as available to them, but we see it as a really persistent problem, the attainment across different regions in our country. if we look at the results from last week, and the number of young people going on to university, 42% problem london going to university, 24% in the north—east. that is a huge gap. one that, as a government, we are committed to closing. yes, these are choices young people make, but we want to make sure they are choices, not a lack of opportunity, we want to unleash opportunity and that is the primary focus as a government.

catherine mckinnell, the schools minister. i am catherine mckinnell, the schools minister. lam here catherine mckinnell, the schools minister. i am here with martin, the head teacher here. martin, it is quite a day. we forgetjust how big a day at his full student. it is quite a day. we forgetjust how big a day at his full student.— a day at his full student. it is a bi da , a day at his full student. it is a big day. a _ a day at his full student. it is a big day, a milestone _ a day at his full student. it is a big day, a milestone in - a day at his full student. it is a big day, a milestone in the - a day at his full student. it is aj big day, a milestone in the life a day at his full student. it is a i big day, a milestone in the life of a young person. a complete reset of the education and what they want to go on to next. the education and what they want to go on to next-— go on to next. how have the results mean? they — go on to next. how have the results mean? they have _ go on to next. how have the results mean? they have stood _ go on to next. how have the results mean? they have stood up. - go on to next. how have the results mean? they have stood up. we - go on to next. how have the results mean? they have stood up. we are | mean? they have stood up. we are very positive _ mean? they have stood up. we are very positive and — mean? they have stood up. we are very positive and proud _ mean? they have stood up. we are very positive and proud of - mean? they have stood up. we are very positive and proud of a - mean? they have stood up. we are very positive and proud of a great l very positive and proud of a great set of results. i have listened to what has been said in the media this morning, i don't want to sound overly enthusiastic about the results, but it is our best ever attainment scores, so we have had a good run of this. you attainment scores, so we have had a good run of this.— good run of this. you are in an area of manchester _ good run of this. you are in an area of manchester that _ good run of this. you are in an area of manchester that is _ good run of this. you are in an area of manchester that is quite - of manchester that is quite deprived. does that have an impact on the students learning? we see london in the south-east getting

better results, does it concern you? it is concerning, globally, but from our perspective it is not a defining factor. it doesn't have an impact because of the work we do with young people. if they do get into difficulties, you have food, you can provide them with things?— with things? there is a whole acka . e with things? there is a whole package of— with things? there is a whole package of wraparound - with things? there is a whole package of wraparound care, | package of wraparound care, important to run alongside the academic side of things. we like to develop the whole person, we have the duke of edinburgh, we invest in the duke of edinburgh, we invest in the arts and sport. we try to provide a full package. aha, the arts and sport. we try to provide a full package.- the arts and sport. we try to provide a full package. a lot of eo - le provide a full package. a lot of peeple think — provide a full package. a lot of people think of _ provide a full package. a lot of people think of gcses, - provide a full package. a lot of people think of gcses, but - provide a full package. a lot of i people think of gcses, but there provide a full package. a lot of - people think of gcses, but there are also a lot of btec results today. have you see that more students are going down the vocational route? it can vary from year group to year group. it suits some students, as opposed to others. it can vary, depending on who is in the year

group, and what they want to pursue as a career. there were some trepidation about vocational results, there was a different format to them. i'm pleased that in this school they stood up as well. what is the advice your staff give to students now that they have got their results? some will probably have better results than the expected answer might not have done as well? it expected answer might not have done as well? , ., expected answer might not have done aswell? _, ., ., i, as well? it is about analysing where ou are as well? it is about analysing where you are at. — as well? it is about analysing where you are at, taking _ as well? it is about analysing where you are at, taking necessary - as well? it is about analysing where you are at, taking necessary steps l you are at, taking necessary steps to move forward from there. in some cases, a small number of cases, that might be a step to the side where we have to revisit something. in other cases, that will involve going to couege cases, that will involve going to college and going down traditional routes. we college and going down traditional routes. ~ u, , college and going down traditional routes. ~ , ., routes. we can see some of your students here _ routes. we can see some of your students here are _ routes. we can see some of your students here are in _ routes. we can see some of your students here are in tears. - routes. we can see some of your students here are in tears. it - routes. we can see some of your students here are in tears. it is l routes. we can see some of your. students here are in tears. it is an amazing moment, isn't it?- students here are in tears. it is an amazing moment, isn't it? tears of 'o amazing moment, isn't it? tears of “0 are amazing moment, isn't it? tears of joy are always _ amazing moment, isn't it? tears of joy are always good. _ amazing moment, isn't it? tears of joy are always good. you _ amazing moment, isn't it? tears of joy are always good. you have - amazing moment, isn't it? tears of joy are always good. you have a - joy are always good. you have a ersonal joy are always good. you have a personal investment _ joy are always good. you have a personal investment in - joy are always good. you have a personal investment in the - joy are always good. you have a i personal investment in the results. a member of yourfamily has been taking them?

a member of your family has been taking them?— a member of your family has been taking them? difficult summer, my son not his taking them? difficult summer, my son got his a-levels _ taking them? difficult summer, my son got his a-levels and _ taking them? difficult summer, my son got his a-levels and my - taking them? difficult summer, my i son got his a-levels and my daughter son got his a—levels and my daughter hasjust son got his a—levels and my daughter has just collected her gcse results. did you do ok? she hasjust collected her gcse results. did you do 0k?— did you do 0k? she has done very well. we did you do 0k? she has done very well- we spoke — did you do 0k? she has done very well. we spoke about _ did you do 0k? she has done very well. we spoke about the - did you do 0k? she has done very well. we spoke about the student| did you do 0k? she has done very i well. we spoke about the student is not sleeping — well. we spoke about the student is not sleeping the _ well. we spoke about the student is not sleeping the night _ well. we spoke about the student is not sleeping the night before, - well. we spoke about the student is not sleeping the night before, what| not sleeping the night before, what is it like for teaching staff? i sat; is it like for teaching staff? i say to them, trust _ is it like for teaching staff? i say to them, trust in _ is it like for teaching staff? i say to them, trust in the _ is it like for teaching staff? i say to them, trust in the process. i is it like for teaching staff? i 3: to them, trust in the process. with everything else that has been going on with the personal situation with my daughter's results, it was a bit restless last night. i my daughter's results, it was a bit restless last night.— restless last night. i will leave ou to restless last night. i will leave you to talk _ restless last night. i will leave you to talk to _ restless last night. i will leave you to talk to the _ restless last night. i will leave you to talk to the students. i restless last night. i will leave | you to talk to the students. we talked about the pressure the students are under and how this is a big moment. let's talk about how you deal with that pressure. katie thistleton, you will know if you listen to radio i thistleton, you will know if you listen to radioi is part of thistleton, you will know if you listen to radio i is part of the team and also a mental health ambassador. went to school not far from here. good morning to you. just how stressful is this time for students?— how stressful is this time for students? ., ., , . ~ how stressful is this time for students? ., ., , n ., students? you are in my neck of the words, students? you are in my neck of the words. wish — students? you are in my neck of the words. wish i _ students? you are in my neck of the words, wish i was _ students? you are in my neck of the words, wish i was there _ students? you are in my neck of the words, wish i was there with - students? you are in my neck of the words, wish i was there with you. it|

words, wish i was there with you. it is a really stressful time and it is understandable, because anything builds up to this point. you start secondary school and you hear about the massive exams you are going to do and it builds and builds. you can't escape it, the pressure is all about you. teachers and parents, they have the best interests at heart, usually, but without realising if they do put pressure on you. you might want to feel you want to compete with your peers or older siblings. it is understandable if you feel some anxiety.- siblings. it is understandable if you feel some anxiety. what are the ti -s to t you feel some anxiety. what are the tips to try to — you feel some anxiety. what are the tips to try to get _ you feel some anxiety. what are the tips to try to get through _ you feel some anxiety. what are the tips to try to get through today? i i tips to try to get through today? i think it is important for students to think about what they want to do, and everyone around them to respect their wishes. and everyone around them to respect theirwishes. if and everyone around them to respect their wishes. if you want to go on your own to collect a result and look at them privately, i wanted to look at them privately, i wanted to look at them privately, i wanted to look at them privately before showing anybody else, that is fine. if you want to go with family or friends. and what you want to do afterwards, do you want to celebrate orjust

afterwards, do you want to celebrate or just treat it like afterwards, do you want to celebrate orjust treat it like another normal day? you know, we say it every year, it is a cliche, but a cliche for a reason. with hindsight, we know it is true, if you didn't get the results you wanted, there are so many options and you can still go on to have a brilliant career and brilliant life. some practical things you can do today if you feel adrenaline running through your body, you can do exercise, journals, write down your thoughts and get them onto paper or the notes app on your phone, and the box breathing is a good technique, you might want to do that, where you breathe then for four, hold forfour, do that, where you breathe then for four, hold for four, breathe do that, where you breathe then for four, hold forfour, breathe out do that, where you breathe then for four, hold for four, breathe out for four, hold for four, breathe out for four and go around like that, like a square or a box, regulate your nervous system and bring you back down—to—earth. it nervous system and bring you back down-to-earth._ nervous system and bring you back down-to-earth. it sounds like a good iece of down-to-earth. it sounds like a good piece of advice. _ down-to-earth. it sounds like a good piece of advice. when _ down-to-earth. it sounds like a good piece of advice. when i _ down-to-earth. it sounds like a good piece of advice. when i did _ down-to-earth. it sounds like a good piece of advice. when i did my i down-to-earth. it sounds like a good piece of advice. when i did my 0 i piece of advice. when i did my 0 levels, ifailed and had piece of advice. when i did my 0 levels, i failed and had to do resits and i have survived. how much

pressure is there with social media, a lot of people will want to take selfies with exam grades and the pressure that they have to do something on tiktok or instagram? yellow butter i would not say you have survived, i would say you have done very well for yourself. it is definitely a factor. parents want to celebrate how brilliant their child is put it on social media, but it's very important for parents to permission, because the anticipation of that will put more pressure on the child. we post everything now. generation z will do that, but if you don't want social media for a few days, you will survive, it is possible. don't forget, that katie is on radioi possible. don't forget, that katie is on radio i on sunday night. if

you have questions about the results today, the bbc news website and app has a life page up and running. they will be answering your questions at 11.30 this morning. they have a team of experts that will be helping to answer the questions. all you have to do is e—mail your questions. you can get much more on the website and app. now time for a cheque under the weather. hello there. a spell of wet and windy weather is currently making its way across the far north of the country, and it will take its time to clear. so heavy rain easing slowly on thursday, but it will stay pretty windy right throughout the day, all tied into this area of low pressure. you can see how tightly packed the isobars are. we're likely to get gusts of winds — 50, 60 miles an hour and some of that rain really persistent.

it will be gradually easing away from scotland first thing. and as it pushes its way south and east across england and wales, it will also weaken to a band of cloud and showery rain into the afternoon. blustery winds continue. gusts of winds generally a0 to 50 miles an hour, perhaps stronger on exposed coasts, and that'll drive in a few sharp showers, particularly to the far north and west. here it will feel fresher, 1a to 17 degrees the high. pressure as well in the southeast with that lack of sunshine, 21 celsius here. now, as we move out of thursday into friday, we'll see another spell of wet weather. and on the southern flank of that low, the strongest of the winds through wales, perhaps as we go through the course of friday morning. so first thing on friday morning, eight to 16 degrees, those strong winds will continue to drive that rain steadily eastwards as we go through the day on friday. once again, the heaviest of the rain looks likely to be to the far north, easing its way out of eastern scotland.

sunny spells and scattered showers that continuing once again, not that much in the way of significant rain to come in the south east of england at the moment. top temperatures again between 1a and 23 degrees, but there is a potential for more in the way of significant rain from this weather front in the south east during the early hours of saturday morning, so it could be a very wet start across southeast england first thing on saturday morning. that rain could take its time to clear. we'll see a cluster of sharp showers close to another low into the far northwest. sandwiched in between the two, somewhat drier and brighter. but again, those temperatures a little subdued, 13 to 20 degrees. once we've got that rain out of the way, bank holiday weekend for most will quieten down a little, dry up with a little more in the way of sunshine.

live from london, this is bbc news. a fifth body's recovered from the luxury yacht which sank off sicily. the search continues for the one

person still missing. tim walz wows the dems — kamala harris�* running mate rallies the democrats and looks ahead to november's election. we've got 76 days. that's nothing. there'll be time to sleep when you're dead. we're going to leave it on the field. president biden stresses the urgent need to reach a gaza ceasefire and hostage deal in a phone call with israel's prime minister. and gcse results have been released — with the pass rate falling for a third year running. hello i'm azadeh moshiri, welcome to the programme. our top story, divers have been searching the wreck

of a superyacht that sank off sicily on monday. they have now recovered a fifth body.