Inside Waterloo Station
In her first nine months, Nicki Mackin has helped safeguard dozens of young people and worked with rail staff, retailers and the public to improve awareness of vulnerability across the station.
Date: 09/6/2026
Keeping it real on results day
It’s that time of year again where the final bits of summer stretch out before us and students are on the edge of their seats waiting for their results.
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.
Moving on
There are lots of options and routes to a fulfilling future, and these do not have to depend on your grades.
In this moment, it may feel as though there is only one right path or that you’re trapped in your circumstances, but there is always a way to grow through a situation.
The solution may be easy, or it may require a bit of work – either way, it’s your choice and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all fix. I hope you find a bit of joy as you’re able to close this chapter of secondary school and move on to bigger and better things!
Janet is 19 years old and one of Railway Children’s youth ambassadors. She sat her GCSEs just after Covid, and went on to study English literature in college. She’s looking forward to starting university this September in the same subject. To find out more about becoming a youth ambassador, get in touch.
Latest stories
Railway Children youth ambassadors speak out on Care Reform
As the only UK voices on the Children and Young People’s Global Taskforce for Care Reform, Railway Children Youth Ambassadors Corey and Elliot brought their lived experience to parliament!
Date: 29/5/2026
UK Rail 2026
Bringing Escape Rooms, youth voices and safeguarding action to the first ever UK Rail conference.
Date: 21/5/2026
What’s the difference between child protection and safeguarding?
Learn about safeguarding and how it relates to child protection on transport networks.
Date: 28/4/2026
Helping children and young people build a life away from the streets
No child wants to survive on the streets. And, through understanding and empowerment, together, we can ensure no child has to.
Date: 10/4/2026
Becoming Julia
Julia, 24, grew up as a boy but knew, early on, that the gender she’d been born into was not who she was. Here, she talks to Youth Platform about her journey, and what she wishes she’d know as a ten-year-old boy.
Date: 31/3/2026
