Receiving your exam results: what’s next?

Support for your next steps

With A-Level and GCSE results day around the corner, we'd like to wish all young people receiving their results good luck and congratulations! No matter what your results are, you should be proud of yourself for all your hard work and for doing your best.

If you are receiving exam results this month you may be beginning to wonder about next steps. If you're the parent or carer of a child receiving their exam results, the Family Information Service has useful information on supporting your child with thinking about their next steps. If you're a parent or carer of a child with additional needs and disabilities, you can also visit our Preparing for adulthood page on the Surrey Local Offer website.

We hope results day will bring positive news. However, if you don't receive the grades you were hoping for, there are still plenty of options available.

If you don't receive the grades you're hoping for...

Further and higher education

If you are planning to pursue further or higher education, talk to the school, college, university or training provider you were planning to go to in the first instance. They may still be able to offer you a place on the same or a similar course or degree, or offer you an alternative.

Otherwise, talk to other colleges and training establishments. Check their websites and social media for local colleges and sixth forms in school, or give them a call. See what they can offer you. Some will be offering drop-in or online sessions to chat.

If you have applied for university, but have not met the conditions of your offers, you can apply for a course through Clearing. For more information, visit the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website.

Apprenticeships and traineeships

If you are looking to start an apprenticeship, there are different levels available depending on your experience. Apprenticeships can be a great entry point into a career and an opportunity to learn valuable work-related skills.

Learn more about the range of apprenticeships available on the Become an apprentice page of the GOV.UK website. Consider what interests you and what you enjoy doing. Then, check out apprenticeships and traineeships.

If you're not sure what to do, you can contact the National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline on 0800 100900. They will help you consider your options and interests.

If the stress of exam results is affecting your wellbeing

We know that getting exam results can be stressful for some people. It's not always easy when the future is uncertain. Mindworks Surrey offers a range of resources for emotional wellbeing and mental health support. This includes access to their 24/7 crisis line.

Alternatively, the Children and Young People (CYP) Haven is a safe space for young people to talk in-person about their worries and mental health in a confidential and supportive environment. Learn more by visiting the CYP Havens web page.

Support for young people in care or care leavers

If you are a young person in care or a care leaver and you're unsure about the next steps to take into education, training, or work, the Surrey Youth Voice web page can offer guidance on where and how to get support.

GCSE English and Maths support for adults

If you are over 19 and want to get your GCSE English or GCSE Maths, Surrey Adult Learning offers small class sizes with supportive tutors.

Build your confidence with our free courses face to face or online so your education can fit in with your busy schedule. Courses start from 10 September.

For more information and to apply now, please see our English adult learning courses and Maths adult learning courses web pages.