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.
Whitelock’s Ale House has announced the return of its annual Beer Festival - hoorah!
There’s nothing quite like a nice fresh pint, and we all know Whitelock’s Ale House know how to pour a good one.
So it's with great glee that we can fill you in on their upcoming Beer Festival which will be returning to the iconic festival from Thursday 18 to Sunday 21 June 2026.
The four-day festival will celebrate the best of independent brewing in Leeds, with beers sourced exclusively from local breweries.
Featured breweries will include Northern Monk, Kirkstall Brewery, Anthology, Amity Brew Co. and more.
Known as the oldest pub in Leeds, Whitelock’s Ale House has long championed independent beers and local brewing culture.
Image: Supplied
This year’s festival aims to spotlight the strength and diversity of the city’s brewing scene, with the tagline 'Beer tastes better up north!'
Beer will be pouring throughout the weekend across Whitelock's Ale House and The Turk's Head, with further brewery announcements and festival details set to be shared in the coming weeks via their Instagram.
The best part? Entry to the festival is completely free.
Talking about this year’s festival, General Manager Beth said: “Beer has always been at the heart of Whitelock’s, so this felt like the right year to celebrate both the breweries on our doorstep and the city we’ve called home for more than 300 years.
"Leeds has a brilliantly strong independent beer scene right now, and we’re looking forward to showcasing some of the best breweries the city has to offer across the weekend.”
You can find out more about Whitelock's Ale House and their fabulous Beer Festival here via their website. Cheers to that!
Inside Leeds’ very first sauna and ice bath cafe hidden behind a railway arch
Clementine Hall
Get ready to take the plunge Leeds, as a community-led sauna and ice bath concept has landed in the city centre.
Hidden behind a railway arch in Saxton Gardens, Kontrast has brought its popular sauna and ice bath concept to the city.
Following the huge success of its Manchester site, Kontrast Leeds combines saunas, ice baths and a cafe designed to bring wellness into everyday life.
The Leeds space features two traditional saunas, one infrared saunas and four ice baths each varying in temperature between 3 and 13 degrees.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The space is absolutely gorgeous, complete with trendy tin ceilings, fairy lights and soft furnishings.
Plunge pools can be enjoyed solo or shared, depending on what guests choose, giving people the opportunity to shape each session around exactly what they need that day.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
The same goes for the saunas, with one silent and one sauna giving guests the option to come for conversation or reflection.
Single sessions will cost just £12 for 45 minutes, with 90-minute sessions from £20.
There's a fab little cafe too offering all sorts from electrolyte slushes to ginger shots and a range of coffees and matcha.
Images: The Hoot Leeds
Known for making sauna and ice feel more accessible, welcoming and community-driven, Kontrast has grown beyond regular sessions to become a base for recurring events. These include their live ambient DJ set event, Unwind, which celebrates local talent, and their weekly run club, both of which the team hopes to bring to Leeds as part of building a similar sense of community in the city.
Officially opening their doors this Friday 29 May, Kontrast are offering free sessions over the weekend so you can try before you buy. Book your spot here.
Sophie Smith -
25th August 2022 
