A RADICAL plan to send exam results by text messages have been met with derision by Bolton headteachers.

A Government think tank has produced plans to send teenagers their results via mobile phone text messages, believing they will prove popular with the four million young people who take exams every year.

But the scheme has not met with the approval of heads and exams officers who fear that texting results would destroy a school's personal contact with the student.

The head of St Joseph's High School at Horwich, Leo Conley, said: "I cannot see it being practical and don't think it's a good idea.

"The same rights wouldn't be guaranteed to students and it might pressure some of them into buying mobile phones if they've not already got them.

"We like to see the kids when they get their results -- it's a day to celebrate."

The head of Turton Media Arts College Sixth Form, Andy Mills, said: "We need to be with the students when they get their results to identify any problems.

"We download the results the day before using a special security code, but how it could be guaranteed that the right kids would get the results and nobody else?

"Security would be a problem and the A-level staff need to speak to the pupils in person and give them immediate advice."

The head of the Deane School, Tony Hill, said: "Texting results would create a lack of personal involvement.

"If they have done really badly or really well they need to be with someone to be congratulated or given help.

"I'm a fan of technology, but there are some things technology cannot replace."

Chief Executive of the Government's e-delivery team, Alan Mather, said: "There are organisations that want to issue notification of important things through SMS text messages such as exam results or benefit information.

"To do that properly you need the security part that ties your phone to who you are.

"This can be done in a 12-month time frame."

Exam board Edexcel has said it would be up to individual schools to decide whether to offer such a service as it could not collect the mobile numbers for all the students taking exams.