The deadline for the result checking service has been extended following a technical issue

The deadline for schools to check their GCSE and post-16 results has been extended after technical problems in the first year which the government had managed at home.

The Department for Education said it was aware of issues affecting the login and download of data files for those trying to complete the Stage 4 and 16-18 autumn verification exercises.

This allows schools to check that DfE contains the correct exam result information, which is then used to calculate performance data.

It is the first year that the management and production of performance data has been moved in-house and delivered directly by the department under a new portal. It was previously run by technology and assessment company RM.

In an update, the DfE said they are “working hard to resolve” the issue.

“We will be extending the deadlines for both the KS4 and 16-18 autumn check exercises to ensure schools and colleges have a two-week window to check their data.

“We will confirm the revised closing dates and provide further updates here in due course.”

DfE confirmed that the schools would not be penalized because of the problems. The data was due to be released next Thursday. School week has asked DfE if it will back down.

‘disappointing’

The Confederation of School Trusts said in an update to members that some schools are breaking up for half term at the end of this week and “many colleagues were unable to get on site at the start of the week”.

The school leaders’ union ASCL had also been aware of members’ problems.

Tiffnie Harris, data specialist at ASCL, said: “This is the first year the DfE has carried out the verification exercises in-house, having been with an external provider.

“It is disappointing that this change coincided first with a delay in the start of the control exercise and then with technical problems.

“While we are pleased that the DfE has agreed to extend the deadlines, we sincerely hope that these issues will be resolved before next year.”

DfE guidance says the new ‘check performance measure data’ services were used for the key stage verification exercise on 4 June 2024. This asks schools to check the correct students

The new portal “looks similar to other online services the department uses to interact with schools and universities.

“The portal has been designed to improve accessibility and offer clear navigation. This allows schools and colleges to view and, if necessary, amend your school or college’s performance data through a more streamlined process than in previous years.”