Young people at the city's schools and colleges were celebrating success today as they picked up the results of their A Level, BTEC and T Level exams sat before the summer.
Across the city early indications are that the majority of young people got the results they were hoping for in their exams, with large numbers of students in the city now heading off to their first-choice universities, into apprenticeships, further training, or employment.
Over at Trinity High School in Hulme one talented student is going further afield than most as her exam results mean that she will soon be heading off to Tennessee USA , hoping for sporting glory as she takes up a highly coveted basketball scholarship at the University of Tennessee, where she will be studying for a degree in Psychology for the next four years alongside competing in the NCAA college basketball league for the university, and hoping after completing her studies to be drafted into the WNBA league as a professional player.
18-year-old Irene Oboavwoduo's journey stateside in the next few weeks comes off the back of a sporting journey that has seen her rise from a young player new to the game at the age of 12, to become one of the most talented young basketball players currently of her age group in the country.Β
Her past sporting honours already include representing Great Britain at the Under-16 Championships in 2022 and 2023, captaining the GB Under-16 National Team to a bronze medal in Turkey in 2024, and more recently earning a call-up to the Great Britain Senior Women's National Team for the EuroBasket 2027 Qualifiers in November 2025 and March 2026.Β
Irene said:
Trinity High School over the past seven years has helped me become the person I am today.Β My mentors and teachers were the reason I stayed on into the 6th form, and the things I've learnt in the classroom and on the basketball court such as time balancing, discipline and hard work, have made me able to succeed in both my academics and in basketball, and I'm really excited to be opening up my next chapter in Tennessee.
Irene is the latest talented young sports person to come out of Trinity High which has something of a history of producing top sporting talent, with past students at the school also including professional footballers Danny Welbeck and Luke Matheson.Β
Headteacher at Trinity High School, Julian Nicholls, said:
School really should be about opening up different horizons and opportunities for our young people who all have their own talents and are individually very different types of learners, and this is something here at Trinity that we're big supporters of.Β
"Our students - including Irene - have excelled themselves again this year with some brilliant results all round that are now seeing them heading off in all kinds of different directions. We couldn't be prouder of each one of them and wish them every success in the future.
The growing importance also of providing alternative vocational pathways for students in addition to more traditional A Levels is something that has been recognised for some time now at Whalley Range High School, with the school having seen the popularity of the vocational routes they offer soar over the last few years.
Mike Lea, Headteacher Whalley Range High School, said:
It's been another year of impressive Key Stage 5 outcomes at Whalley Range including for our students who have followed the vocational pathway we offer - which continues to go from strength to strength and is really popular, offering students practical career pathways as an excellent alternative to going on to university.
Parrs Wood High School's Sixth Form in Didsbury is also celebrating a wide range of achievements today amongst students at all levels, with some outstanding results for students in both A Level exams and BTECS.
Mark McElwee, Headteacher Parrs Wood High School, said:
A massive well done to all our students - their sheer hard work together with the support of our staff really has paid off, with some fantastic individual results for pupils, some of whom have literally worked their socks off, and managed to succeed against all the odds.Β We're proud of each and every one of our students and we look forward to seeing the difference we know they will all go on to make in the world.
Over at William Hulme's Grammar School in south Manchester, some of the pupils picking up their results today have been pupils at the school for the last 15 years - having first started there at the age of three, giving some staff the unique opportunity of having literally been able to watch their students progress from toddlers to teens and now young adults about to step out on their own into the world.
Kate Heaton, Principal William Hulme's Grammar School, said:
Today is a celebration of the ambition, hard work and talent of our students who throughout their time in school have approached their studies with determination, resilience and a commitment to achieving their best.Β For some of them, this journey began when they joined us at just three years old, making it a particular privilege to share and celebrate this milestone with them.Β
"Today also reflects not only the achievements of our young people, but also the support, encouragement and dedication of the staff and families who have helped them along the way.
"We're immensely proud of every one of our students, it's been an honour to have witnessed their remarkable achievements so far and we're excited to see where their next steps will lead.
Today marks the first results day in the city since Manchester was officially recognised by UNICEF as a Child Friendly City - a city that puts its children and young people centre-stage helping them to thrive and to succeed and be happy in life as they journey towards adulthood.
Councillor Julie Reid, Executive Member for Early Years, Children and Young People, said:
Congratulations to all our young people across the city who have picked up their exam results today and have secured the results they need to take their next steps. As a former teacher I know first-hand the amount of hard work and determination it takes a young person to reach this point - it's far from easy.
"And as someone who has spent their career in education I also want to say a personal thank you to all the teachers and other staff in our schools and colleges who do so much every day - some of it seen and some of it not - to help and support our students to succeed.Β
"It's important also that we recognise that for all kinds of reasons results day can be a really difficult time for some of our young people whose results don't match up to what they were hoping for, with thousands of students up and down the country every year finding themselves in this position.
"The most important thing is not to panic and if this is you, know that you are not alone and that with the right support and guidance you will find your way through this and go on to future success.Β Speak to your teachers or staff in your school or college - they are ready and waiting to advise you and support you through this.
Students in need of help and support after getting their exam results today should speak in the first instance to their school or college, but there are many other sources of help also available including from The Education Hub
Mental health advice and support for young people who need help with how they are feeling after picking up their results is available from organisations including:
