THE future of thousands of students hangs in the balance today.

With this summer’s examinations cancelled due to the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, the A-level results published today, and the GCSE results to come out next week, have been calculated by combining teachers’ estimated grades for individual pupils with a statistical model based on the school’s past results.

Across Wiltshire, youngsters who expected to spend this morning nervously heading into school, open the dreaded brown envelope and then celebrate or come to terms with bad news, supported by friends who are going through the same experience, will instead receive emails with their grades.

Most schools in west and north Wiltshire are keeping students and staff safe by delivering results electronically, rather than exposing people to the possible Covid-19 dangers of face-to-face meetings.

With shouts of joy, hugs of congratulation and embraces of delight banned because of social distancing who can blame them - and support is available to pupils who need it.

We thought we’d take a look at some A-level celebrations from past years: do you remember getting your results?