RESULTS DAY
Results day can be a nerve-racking time for your child and you ! In the run-up , take time to listen to their anxieties and engage with any specific worries they have – just saying ‘ it will all be fine ’ could seem dismissive . Discuss alternative plans so that they are prepared if their first choice doesn ’ t work out .
THE PRACTICALITIES
Most young people get their results by going to pick them up from their school ; check with the school what time results will be available . Some exam boards make results available online – again , check with the school to find out whether this applies to your child ’ s exams . Results can also be delivered in the post , or if you are away you may be able to arrange with the school for a friend or family member to pick up the results on your child ’ s behalf .
The benefit of going into school is that teachers will be around to offer your child advice if they need it . However , it can also be a very public way for them to find out their grades . You could chat with them beforehand to see how they feel about opening their results in front of friends and teachers . They might prefer to find a quiet corner at school and open them alone , or do it at home .
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT ?
If they got the grades they need … Time to celebrate ! If they are disappointed because they didn ’ t do as well as they were expecting in some subjects , focus on the positives . With the exception of maths and English , one or two lower grades are unlikely to affect their future plans .
You ’ ll need to confirm your child ’ s place at their chosen sixth form or college . Check whether you need to send a copy of your child ’ s results , as some institutions require this .
If they didn ’ t get the results they wanted … Try to reassure them that it ’ s not the end of the world and support them as they think about what to do next .
• It ’ s worth phoning their first choice of sixth form or college to check whether they can be flexible about their entry requirements . They may agree to your child retaking a GCSE while studying for their A levels or BTECs , especially if the grade they achieved was a near miss . Encourage your child to make the call rather than doing it yourself , as this will demonstrate their initiative and maturity .
• If not , they could contact their second-option schools / colleges .
• They could retake one or more of their exams later in the year to try to improve their grades .
• They could look at other course options with lower entry requirements , or think about doing an alternative qualification or an apprenticeship .
If they missed a grade very narrowly , or did much worse in a subject than predicted , they could talk to a teacher about making an enquiry to the exam board . The school can ask the exam board to check whether there has been an administrative error and to ensure the paper was marked correctly .
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