Congratulations to all those receiving academic results today.
It appears that no matter how many years it's been since you collected your own school results, it's a memory that stays with us all- and all for different reasons.
Some get the results they hoped for, others the grades they could have only dreamed of, and the opposite is just as true, there will be many today that don't receive their expected results.
Regardless of the letters and numbers on that little piece of paper, every young person this year has a lot to celebrate, being the first year of students to sit GCSE examinations in a post-pandemic world (not to mention the impact of Covid itself on the education system over the last few years) is no easy task, but it's something to be extremely proud of.
Results Day. / Image: Leeds City Council
Pupils have been warned that grades were generally higher during the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 than they were in 2019, due to the different assessment system used.
Whilst the exam boards haven't gone back to their usual way of marking and grades have been set at a midpoint between summer 2019 and 2021, it is expected that the results will be lower than those from non-examination years.
Leeds city council issued a statement earlier today reminding pupils, teachers and loved ones that it's been a different way of learning and examining and because of these changes, it is not possible to make comparisons between results this year and previous years
This marks the first year of GCSE exams since 2019. / Image: Unsplash
For instance, pupils in maths and physics had formulae tables rather than being expected to learn them off by heart.
Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, culture and education, Councillor Jonathan Pryor said: “Congratulations and well done to everyone who has taken their GCSEs this year. We are seeing some brilliant results that are very well deserved. Pupils have done themselves and the city proud and I am particularly impressed by the resilience they have shown throughout the pandemic when their education was significantly disrupted.
“These results are not only a reflection of the hard work and commitment of our young people, but also their families, schools, colleges and other learning settings that have supported them to secure these results.”
For all students, regardless of their results, this marks an emotional day that finalises their past years of study- and each should be proud of their achievements.
Norfolk-based jewellery brand Lisa Angel is opening their first Yorkshire site right here in Leeds.
Jewellery and trinket lovers, this one's for you.
Lisa Angel, a female-founded jewellery and gifting brand will open the doors to its new store in Victoria Gate next month.
Shoppers can expect a wonderful range of jewellery, gifts, and accessories that have established a loyal following during more than twenty years of business.
Founded in 2004 by Lisa hand making jewellery which she sold at craft fairs local to her Norfolk home, the business has only gone from strength to strength since.
Image: Supplied
The brand is now a recognised part of the British high street landscape, boasting seven other stores across Norfolk, Suffolk, and the Midlands.
After opening two stores last year and three stores in 2024, Lisa Angel’s founder and Creative Director, Lisa, said: “As an independent retailer, we are thrilled to launch in a destination with such a reputation as Victoria Leeds.
"We believe retail should remain grounded in inspiration and discovery, and we look forward to bringing just that to the vibrant city of Leeds, in our first store in the north.”
Managing Director James Moody explained the significance to the business of opening a new store in a city as influential as Leeds: “We're incredibly excited to be opening our first northern showcase store in such a prestigious location.
"Victoria Leeds represents exactly the kind of vibrant retail destination where we can bring the full Lisa Angel experience to new customers. This is a significant milestone for us as we continue to grow our retail presence."
We'll keep you up to date when we know an opening date, but for now you can check out what to expect here.
Yorkshire residents are being invited to name two new bin lorries
Clementine Hall
Well...this is a new one.
Ever fancied naming a bin lorry? Well today is your lucky day, because now you can.
Yorkshire-based waste management experts Divert are celebrating the arrival of two swanky new tbin rucks by inviting the local community to help name them.
The iconic purple bins, vans and trucks can be seen across the Yorkshire area helping to clean up waste from Bradford to Harrogate.
Two new lorries are set to be joining the fleet in April and May, and of course they need a name.
And who better to ask than the general public? The winning names will be added to the cabs of each of the trucks for all to see, and announced via the Divert website and social media channels.
Absolutely anyone from across the UK is welcome to take part, but the company are especially keen for people from Yorkshire to enter.
You can be as creative as you like, but there are a couple of rules...
No swearing or offensive names. Aside from that, you can let your freak flag fly.
The Divert team are keen to hear the 'best celebrity puns, local namesakes, and downright silly names' the public have to offer.
John Verity, Managing Director of Divert, comments: “Naming our bin trucks is a great way to bring some joy to the local community. We hope to bring a smile to the faces of passing drivers and pedestrians as our fleet passes by.
“Not only that, naming our lorries can help our drivers to take pride and ownership in the vehicles they drive and be a key reminder of our engagement within the community. We’re always keen to employ any initiatives that help the public to engage with us and ensure we’re seen as a friendly face in the area.”
Winners will be voted for by the team internally, and the competition closes at 5 pm on 31 March 2026.
Sophie Smith -
25th August 2022 
