Keeping it real on results day

We’ve reached the nerve-wracking time where it can feel like all your hard work is whittled down to a single number. But Janet, 19, reminds us that isn’t the case.

Date: 21st August 2024

Your grades don’t only signify how hard you’ve worked, but the fact you’re done!

Five years of secondary school is tough; balancing friendships, schoolwork and hobbies is difficult, and every student can be proud to have survived.

Hopefully, you have at least one positive thing to take away from the experience – because it’s not just an education you’ve gained, but time to grow more into yourself.

The next steps

Whether you’re feeling daunted or excited (or a bit of both) about receiving your grades, we’re here to reassure you they are not the epitome of who you are. While they may show how you have done in an exam, they don’t truly reflect you.

Although it might seem as though success in life – college, apprenticeships and job applications – depends on the grades you get, in reality, there is always another path. Getting your desired grades is amazing but even if you don’t, you have options.

In most sixth forms and colleges, you can re-sit maths or English alongside your chosen subjects. You don’t have to pay for this and it’s offered almost everywhere.

It’s not rocket science

Most of the time, if your course isn’t directly linked with a failed grade, then a conversation over the phone or during enrolment means you can still study your initial course.

However, science is a little bit different. Re-sitting a science subject isn’t typically offered in most sixth forms or colleges, but you may need it to study your desired course.

Most colleges and sixth forms can offer similar courses which allow you to stay in the same field of study. You can also re-sit a specific science course if you wish. You would need to enter the exam as a private candidate and study independently. And this does come with a fee.