Our Top Tips
Plan how you are getting your results
Check with your school or College what time they will be open and when they will be closed. Try and take 5 minutes on your own to open your results and read through the information slowly. If you are unable to collect your results then you need to arrange to get them via email, talk to your school or college to check.
Confirm your place straight away
Make sure to contact the college or training provider where you want to study to confirm your place.
Explore your options
Ask advice or do some research so you know what choices you have available. You can find out what’s on offer on our Learn and Earn sections.
If your results are not what you were hoping for speak to a teacher or careers adviser at school for some advice. It is always worth getting in touch with where you have applied to and ask whether they would consider your grades.
Have you considered an Apprenticeship? Find out more below as there may be an Apprenticeship just right for you.
Be Proud of yourself
It has been a tough year and you have succeeded in getting this far with your education, so whether you received the grades you wanted or not you have still done well and can go on to do so much more.
GCSE Results Day
This year, GCSE results are out on Thursday 12 August 2021 in England and Wales. This is about 2 weeks earlier than normal.
Although formal GCSE exams have been cancelled in 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, results will now be based on predicted grades that should be formalised by the end of July. Under a system devised by exams regulator Ofqual, schools will be able to use a combination of mock exams and coursework to decide what those grades will be.
A Level Results Day
A-level results day is on Tuesday 10 August. This is two weeks earlier than planned – the release of results had previously been scheduled for 24 August.
Bringing results day forward is intended to provide more time for students to appeal against any results that may have affected their university application.
Btec and other vocational and technical qualifications
Many qualifications will be graded by your teachers, similarly to how the GCSE and A-level results are being decided.
With the pandemic causing disruption to education this year, the government has had to make alternative plans for students to complete their courses. Some vocational and technical qualifications (VTQs) are changing. Ofqual have created an explainer tool which will help you get more specific info on your course and qualifications.
You can find it here.
Support
Who can you talk to if your results aren’t what you hoped?
- Talk to your school, college or education setting first, they know you well and will be able to advise you of your best options.
- Research the local offer, our website is a good place to start – workwiltshire.co.uk/young/
- Contact the National Career Service – nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/.
- Call 0800 100 900 or use their webchat
- Useful Information for Post 18 Options
- Student guide to awarding: summer 21 – A guide for students on how GCSEs, A levels, vocational and technical qualifications will be graded and award in summer 2021.
- The Uni guide – advice with what to expect and do on results day.
- The Student Room has lots of advice and information on results for all qualifications and has chat forums to help you.
If you are aged 16-17 and are finding it hard to stay in education or to find a place for September then please register for support with our Education, Employment Advisers. workwiltshire.co.uk/young/support/
Looking for an apprenticeship?
If you’re thinking about doing an apprenticeship after GCSEs or A Levels, you don’t need to wait for results before you start looking. You can register, research and even apply for some opportunities – look for those accepting predicted grades.
- Register with the Apprenticeship Finder
- Contact your local and ask about apprenticeships
- Look through our apprenticeship and vacancy listing here.