SCHOOLS and colleges across Oxfordshire are preparing for an unusual set of results days.

Collecting GCSE and A-level results is a major milestone in a young person’s life, as it can be the launchpad for university or the beginning of a career.

However, the usual celebrations with envelopes being hurriedly or nervously opened with friends, and the cheesy jumping in the air photo will differ this time around.

The coronavirus pandemic means many students will be receiving their results remotely.

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This is the case at St Birinus School in Didcot where a virtual results day will be held for both GCSE and A-level students.

In an announcement on the school website, it says results will be given virtually because ‘a results day is not conductive to social distancing’ and ‘it will be helpful to provide time for students to reflect on results’.

Results will be sent to student email accounts between 8am and 10.30am.

Some schools are trying to keep things more normal for students, by allowing them to collect results.

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Langtree School, near Wallingford, for example, will not be issuing results via email or over the phone.

Instead, the school is inviting students in small groups at a time to collect their results.

There will be half hour slots from 9.30am to 1pm, with students allocated a slot to pick up results.

A nominated person can collect results on behalf of a student.

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Our Lady’s Abingdon is also inviting students to receive results or delegate someone else to collect them.

There is a strict set of rules for those collecting results though, including queueing up two metres apart outside reception, with no congregation of students to discuss grades, as they must leave the premises immediately upon collecting results.

Pupils can however bring one family member with them into the school building.

If students do not wish to go into school, arrangements can be made for results to be sent to them.

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Some schools are offering students both options, allowing them to decide what they want to do.

At Icknield Community College in Watlington, pupils will be able to go into school from 10am where there will be a socially distanced handing out of results.

Alternatively, results can be emailed to students on the morning of results day.

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Joanne Croft, acting head at Rye St Antony in Headington, said: “It is certainly a very different story for all schools this summer with results and we are trying to keep things as normal for our pupils as possible.

“We have invited all pupils into school on the day of results and will be meeting them in small bubbles to continue the personal experience that we offer while maintaining Covid-safe practices.

“All members of the leadership team will be in school to support pupils in moving to their next steps and we are ready to video call pupils who are overseas to discuss university plans.”

A-level results day this year is on August 13, while GCSE results will be given out on August 20.