This rite of passage has been replicated in the borough for generations (although they were O-levels from 1951 to 1986 and school certificates before that). Here’s a lovely collection of Wigan secondary school pupils celebrating their GCSE results in the first decade of the 21st century.

5. GCSE Results day at St Edmund Arrowsmith High School, Ashton in 2010
. Photo: Paul Greenwood


7. St John Fisher RC High School GCSE pupils in 2010: Matthew Norris, left, Sam Heaton, Declan Potter and Leighton Fenn with their results
. Photo: Nick Fairhurst

8. Shevington High School GCSE results 2010: Singin' in the rain...Josh Fairhurst, left, Jack Whittle and Danny Kelly celebrate their results
. Photo: Nick Fairhurst
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