Norfolk Governors' Network

Half of parents admit they make their kids go to school even if they're not feeling well, according to a new study. Do you?

Half of Britain's parents admit they send their children to school when they are unwell – a fifth even do so when they have a contagious illness.In fact, not even full-blown fever, diarrhoea and vomiting will stop some mums and dads packing their little darlings off to lessons, according to a report today from the private medical insurer Bupa.

As the new school year begins, Bupa's research shows parents are unsure which illnesses are unacceptable at school or nursery. Six out of 10 would keep their children home if they had conjunctivitis – not strictly necessary – but, worryingly, one in seven would send them in with diarrhoea.

Bupa's How Are You Britain? report reveals that 13% of parents believe vomiting is no reason to keep a child at home.

Many of us, as working parents, have been there. We've felt the stab of irritation at the prospect of having to stay at home and juggle working with caring for a sick child, only to witness a Lazarus-like recovery once the call to the school...

• GCSE pass rate rises for 23rd year running
• Seven in 10 entries receive C grade or above
• More than one in five achieve A or A*
• Numbers taking French and German drop
• Numbers taking separate science exams rise
• Click here for all the headline figures
• Confused about your results? Click here for advice from our expert clinic

7.45am: Good morning and welcome to this year's GCSE results live blog. All day today we'll be bringing you results from around the country, the latest news from the front line in the battle of the sexes, the political fallout, your success stories – whether you're a student or a teacher – and the Guardian's exclusive tables listing GCSE results from schools across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Foundation and higher diploma results are also out today, and we'll be giving you details of those, too.

But it's Tuesday, you may be thinking. Aren't GCSE results usually out on a Thursday? Yes, they are. But not this year. The Joint Council for Qualifications explains why in a not-very-illuminating statement:

Earlier this year the regulators and departmental officials for...

Post your GCSE dilemmas and queries for our exam experts

As GCSE results day approaches, nerves are high among students around the country.

Tomorrow will bring shrieks of joy as envelopes are ripped open, but also tears of frustration among those who haven't got the grades they expected.

Wondering whether to stay on at school? Not sure of your options? Or just want some reassurance?

Perhaps you want to study for something other than A-levels, go to college, or start an apprenticeship?

Our three experts will be online from 2pm-4pm tomorrow for our GCSE exam surgery. You can post your questions for them now.

Steph Berry is assistant headteacher of Walbottle Campus, Newcastle. Paul Ashdown is principal of The Sixth Form College, Solihull. Andy Gardner is a careers adviser at the Institute of Career Guidance.

Feel free also to share your stories of GCSE success, or to contribute any advice you may have to the discussion.

• Luke Sweeney with minute-by-minute coverage as A-level pass rate rises to 97.6%
• 8% get new A* grade, 27% get A
• Number of courses in clearing cut by half
• Ucas: 0871 468 0468 and ucas.ac.uk
• Find degree courses with clearing vacancies at clearing.ucas.com
• Read the day's summary

7.40am: Good morning everyone and welcome to the Guardian's all-singing, all-dancing A-level results live blog. It's a huge day for a lot of anxious students, teachers and parents out there today and we are here to keep you up-to-date with all the A-level news as it happens. We want to hear your stories: are you overjoyed with your results and have sailed into your first choice university? Have things not gone quite as planned? How has your school/sixth form college performed this year? Whatever trials and tribulations you are dealing with today – we want to hear about them.

7.48am: One of the key issues that education professionals and policy makers will be looking out for today is what a difference the new A* grade has made. Louise Tickle takes a look at what it...

Last year 48,000 students found places through clearing but that still left 130,000 out in the cold. This year will be even tougher so start early

If Thursday's A-level results aren't what you were hoping for, don't worry - there are still some places left on courses starting this autumn. The clearing system matches institutions which have spare places with students who have not got the grades required for their offers or apply late.

Last year, just under 48,000 students got into university through clearing and although the numbers are likely to be much lower this year, some courses still have spaces. So far, institutions have already confirmed over 2,500 places that will be available through clearing. Bath will have 50 places, Bradford 255, Buckinghamshire New 50-100, Goldsmiths expects to have 100 places, Kent 250, Leeds Trinity and All Saints College 20, Manchester 50, Nottingham under 50, West of England 200, Winchester 20, Wolverhampton 355 and Writtle 400.

But with demand for degrees up 11.6% this year, an estimated 170,000 students may find themselves without a place. Last year the figure was 130,000.

Even some of the cleverest may not have done enough to get in. Last week,