Every August, millions of students across the United Kingdom receive their GCSE and IGCSE results, marking a significant academic milestone. Alongside the anticipation and relief, many brands and restaurants participate in a tradition of rewarding this achievement with complimentary food and drinks. These results day promotions are designed to celebrate students' hard work, offering a range of freebies from pizzas and burgers to desserts and cinema drinks. This guide details the specific offers available for the 2025 results day, the eligibility criteria, and the necessary steps to redeem these deals, based exclusively on the provided source material.
The primary results day for both GCSE and IGCSE students (specifically those receiving Edexcel and OxfordAQA International results) is Thursday, 21st August 2025. Students can typically collect their results from their schools or access them online from 8am, providing ample time to celebrate. However, it is important to note that students receiving IGCSE results from Cambridge International (CIE) may not be able to participate, as their results are released on 19th August 2025, which does not coincide with the standard GCSE results day. These offers are exclusively available to students based in the UK. International students are advised to check with their local branches for any similar promotions, though these are not guaranteed.
Participating Restaurants and Available Offers
A variety of restaurant chains across the UK offer specific deals on results day. The offers generally require students to present proof of their results and, in some cases, a student ID or proof of age. The following offers were identified for the 2025 results day:
- Frankie & Benny’s: Students can receive a free Margherita pizza. A key benefit of this offer is that no purchase is required; students simply need to walk in and present their exam results.
- Byron Burgers: GCSE students are eligible for a free burger from the 'Proper Burgers' menu upon showing their results slip.
- Nando’s: This chain offers students a choice between a free starter or a quarter chicken.
- Wildwood: When ordering a main meal, students can claim a free starter or dessert plus a Coke Zero. Proof of exam results and age is required.
- Las Iguanas: Students presenting their exam results can receive a free portion of churros.
- Bill’s: Ordering a main meal allows students to claim a free dessert. This requires flashing exam results and a student ID. The dessert menu includes options such as mini cinnamon doughnuts, triple chocolate brownie, and passion fruit cheesecake.
- The Ivy Collection: For those looking for a more formal celebration, The Ivy offers a two-course menu for £29.95 or a three-course menu for £35.95. A free goodie bag is included for the student celebrating their results.
- Gordon Ramsay’s Street Pizza (Southwark): This specific branch offers 75 minutes of bottomless pizza for free between 11:30am and 4pm.
- Showcase Cinema: When purchasing a movie ticket, students can receive a free small ICEE drink by presenting their exam results.
Verification and Eligibility Requirements
To claim these results day freebies, students must provide verification of their status. The specific requirements can vary by establishment, so checking in advance is recommended.
Most restaurants will expect students to show their official results slip. However, a student ID and an additional form of proof of age (such as a driver’s licence or passport) are also advisable to avoid any issues. For IGCSE students who access their results online, the electronic statement of results is generally accepted as valid proof, provided the visit occurs on the official results day for their specific exam board.
It is crucial to distinguish between GCSE and IGCSE results dates. While GCSE students and those receiving IGCSE results from Edexcel and OxfordAQA can celebrate on 21st August, students with Cambridge International (CIE) IGCSE results fall outside this window and are unlikely to be eligible for these specific promotions.
How to Find and Claim Deals
The landscape of promotional offers can change rapidly. Restaurants often announce their results day deals quite late, sometimes only a few days before the event. To ensure access to the best offers, students are advised to follow their preferred restaurants on social media platforms. This allows for real-time updates on any new deals or changes to existing ones. Planning ahead and deciding which deals to pursue can significantly improve the chances of securing a freebie, as popular offers may attract large crowds.
Even if the academic results are not what a student had hoped for, many of these establishments still honour the freebies. The focus is on celebrating the completion of a challenging period of study and rewarding the effort invested, regardless of the final grades achieved. Taking time to celebrate successes is considered a valuable life skill, providing motivation for future endeavours, such as A-Level studies.
Conclusion
The tradition of offering free food and drinks to students on GCSE results day provides a welcome and well-earned reward for their hard work. With a diverse range of options available, from casual pizza and burger chains to more formal dining experiences and cinema treats, there is something to suit every preference. The key to successfully claiming these offers lies in understanding the specific eligibility criteria, which primarily revolve around being a UK-based student with verifiable exam results from the correct date. By staying informed through social media and ensuring they have the necessary documentation, students can fully enjoy their results day celebrations.