Education 'n' Work

GCSE Results - what next?

Welcome to our results surgery.

How did you do?

After months of hard work, your GCSE results are finally in your hands.

What if you didn't do as well as expected?

I've done better than I thought!

If you have achieved higher grades than you expected, you might want to think about options that you had not thought about before. Take another look at sixth form or college courses, diplomas or Apprenticeships.

Need some ideas? Check out www.future4me.org.uk

And don't forget that you may be eligible for financial help with an EMA. Look at Money advice or ema.direct.gov.uk

I’ve not got the grades I need!

If you have not got the grades that you needed for your sixth form or college course, then don't panic.

First of all, try to talk to teachers or tutors about which courses you might still be able to do. You may still be allowed to do the courses you want. Or perhaps you will need to do some different subjects.

Try not to leave it too late and instead talk to someone.

Teachers and personal advisers will be available at schools, sixth forms and colleges over the next few days who you can talk to.

I may need to re-take my GCSEs

It's not possible to take all your GCSEs again but most schools or colleges will let you retake maths and English, and perhaps science, alongside other subjects.

Many students retaking courses find that they can only improve by one grade or so. If you haven’t done as well as you had expected, perhaps you may wish to rethink your ideas and start on a different course from September.

It could be useful to talk through your options with Youth and Connexions about all the options open to you.

My plans are in ruins…

Try not to worry if you have not got the grades you wanted. There are still a lot of options open to you and the chance to do something that you like.

Talk to a personal adviser, who will have information on a wide range of jobs, courses and training opportunities, and can help you make the best decision.

For more information…

If you’re between 13 and 19 and you want to talk to a Youth and Connexions personal adviser, you can contact an adviser at school, or college, by phoning our Freephone number 0800 085 4448, or by emailing us at youthandconnexions@suffolk.gov.uk

Or you could visit one of our centres:

  • Infobar, 37-43 Fore Street, Ipswich
  • Opportunity House, 35 - 37 London Road North, Lowestoft
  • Caxton House, 43 St Andrews Street South, Bury St Edmunds

More information about contacting us: Contact us

Useful tips

Here are some useful tips from a Connexions Personal Adviser!

Firstly, don’t panic! Whatever results you get there are plenty of options for you to consider.

Secondly, just ask! There are loads of people to get advice from. Speak to your family, friends, teachers or pop into your local Suffolk Youth and Connexions office.

-Rebekah Green

For more info visit the Connexions Direct website


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