GCSE results 2020: Insight and advice from Childline

Ahead of GCSE results day tomorrow, (Thursday 20 August), Childline and the NSPCC has offered advice if your results aren’t as you had hoped for.

Between 4 August and 16 August 2020, Childline delivered 113 counselling sessions with young people who discussed exams and results. Over half (54%) talked about how the stress and anxiety of results was having a negative impact on their mental health and wellbeing.

The main themes of counselling sessions since A-level results were published included:

• Feeling sad at having not received good results and what this means for their future.
• Regretting they had not taken mocks seriously, and wishing they had revised more.
• Believing poor grades define them/reflect upon them negatively.
• Feeling the grading of exams is an unfair process.

NSPCC CEO Peter Wanless said: "We know that receiving exam results can be stressful for young people.

“The pressure to achieve good grades and secure college and university places can be overwhelming and some teenagers may find it hard to cope.

“This year, these worries have been heightened for many due to exams not taking place because of the coronavirus pandemic and Childline has heard from a number of young people who are struggling with the uncertainty of what their results will be.

“It is important young people remember that no matter what their results are, their grades do not define them.

“It’s vital that any young person receiving GCSE results has a trusted adult who can listen to their worries and discuss their options with them such as a careers advisor, teacher, parent or Childline.”

Childline President and Founder Dame Esther Rantzen said: “Exam results day can be difficult and there are many young people who are worried about their grades and their future, especially as they could not sit their exams this year.

“Although some young people may not achieve the grades they’d like, I want to remind you that there is life beyond GCSEs and A-levels. Once this horrible pandemic has subsided there will still be plenty of options and opportunities for you.

“However, if any young person is struggling and doesn’t know where to turn, do remember that Childline is there for you, have a look at our website and message boards, and get in touch. Childline’s trained counsellors are here to support you, and no worry is ever too small, if it matters to you, it matters to Childline.”

Advice from NSPCC and Childline

For young people who may not achieved the results they wanted:

• Ask a teacher, careers advisor or any adult you trust what they think and discuss your options and how you are feeling.
• Remind yourself of what you did well in whether that be coursework, revision or other parts of your life.
• Don’t compare yourself to your friends.
• If you do not feel your grade reflects your ability speak with your school about having the opportunity to take the exam in the autumn term.
• Make an appeal. This doesn’t always mean you’ll get a better grade but it can help if you think things would have been different had you sat the exam.
• Look at other courses or training programmes and apprenticeships that you can do.
• Colleges and universities are working hard to find ways to be flexible about students affected by schools closing and exams being cancelled so, if you don’t get the grades you are expecting it’s important to speak to the college/university you’ve applied to.
• If you haven’t got a place at university, try not to worry as there is a chance you could get a place at another university through the clearing process.
• Take a gap year and do something different like travelling or volunteering.
• Look at different courses that you can do with the grades you have achieved.

For parents and carers:

• Your child may find it hard to talk to you about their results so be patient and supportive until they feel ready to talk about how they feel.
• Encourage your child to take their time to think about what they want to do next. There’s no need to rush into a decision straightaway.
• Help them think about their choices by writing down a list of pros and cons for each of their options
• If they are finding it hard to talk to you, let them know they can contact Childline for free, confidential support and advice on 0800 1111 or www.childline.org.uk