it was a big day here at wootton park school in northampton, a big morning. that door behind me and really there was a full range of emotion as they waited to get their gcse results and their other level two qualifications. first thing this morning there were nerves, tension, excitement and then as they opened the envelopes there was relief for some and disappointment for others. as you say, the number of students getting those top grades down on last year and also the numbers getting that crucial grade four, which is considered a good pass, also down on last year and that is part of that wider plan to bring grades back in line with 2019 levels, of course, 2019 the last time that students sat exams before the covid pandemic, which obviously, as we know, caused such disruption across the education sector with students having to take lessons online, remotely from home and then when they did come in facing social distance lessons or lessons with masks and other disruptions to their education. so what that means for those students who didn't make that great for i

year running, bringing them close to where they were in 2019. 0ur reporter harry farley is at wootton park schooleen here since first thing and students were streaming in through that door behind me to collect their gcse and other level two results. we saw the full range of emotions, some attention, nerves, excitement, some were relieved and others disappointed as you say. the number of students getting that top grade is down on last year and the number of students getting that crucial pass, that grade four com is also down on last year and that is part of the government effort to bring grades back down to 2090 levels. to talk about that is down, the principle here. first, you too must be a very proud day for you and your students getting these results? absolutely, they have knocked it out the part _ absolutely, they have knocked it out the part. given allthe absolutely, they have knocked it out the part. given all the difficulties they have — the part. given all the difficulties they have had with covid and all those _ they have had with covid and all those things around the strikes and someone

wootton park in northampton. harry, what are the feelings over there? ever since 8:30am, students have been filing into what is normally the dining room at the school in northamptonhave seen excitement, nerves, we have seen some relief, and we have also seen some relief, and we have also seen some disappointment. the overall number of students getting the top grades is down across the country in england to stop and the number of students getting a great four, equivalent to an old c is also down, part of the wider effort of the government to bring grades back in line with 2019 levels, pre—pandemic levels. obviously the covid pandemic affecting education hugely, many students having to do lessons online. when they came in, having to do lessons with masks or social distancing. this cohort getting the results today, when they started studying for their gcses, some covid restrictions were still in place. let's talk to some of them now to see how they found getting the results today. thank you so much for agreeing to talk to us. how are you feeling? i’m agreeing to talk to us. how are you feelin: ? �* ., , feeling? i'm feeling really relieved. _ feeling? i'm feeling re