Results Day
Have you got your GCSE results and haven’t got the grades you wanted?
Don’t know what you are going to do next?
Don’t despair, here are some things you can do.
Talk to your school
If you don’t get your predicted grades, talk to your tutor or other staff at school on the day. They will have plenty of experience of students in your situation and will be able to advise you. This may mean appealing your grades, resitting your exam, choosing a different sixth form or A level, or something else.
Consider moving schools for 6th form.
Different Schools offer different A level courses – if you don’t get the GCSE grades you need to do your chosen A levels at your current school, why not contact other schools nearby or consider doing different A levels? Some schools will allow you to retake your GCSEs so that you can try again to get the grades you want.
Investigate FE College
There are a number of FE colleges nearby - in Bath, Midsomer Norton, Bristol, Trowbridge and Lackham College near Chippenham. They provide a huge range of courses and apprenticeships. Look at their web sites to see the courses they have on offer. If you haven’t got the entry requirements for the course you like, don’t despair. Some course leaders will be flexible and sometimes you can retake some GCSE exams at college whilst also joining another course part time.
Consider a traineeship or Apprenticeship
If you have a good idea what job you’d like to do, then an apprenticeship or traineeship might be best for you. Contact local employers, recruitment agencies and job centres. You can also search for apprenticeships and traineeships through the government website @ www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship or https://www.gov.uk/find-traineeship
Contact local support services
Youth Connect are a local service providing support for those who may need help getting into training, education or employment. This is provided by qualified Personal Advisers who can help with information about next steps to colleges, other training providers, apprenticeships and jobs
01225 396980 or email YouthConnect_SupportServices@bathnes.gov.uk
Daystop at the YMCA also nave a weekly job club on Wednesday mornings from 10-12. Find more information at https://www.ymcabath.org.uk/daystop/
The Princes Trust offer careers advice, courses, help getting a job or starting your own business. Contact them at You can look for apprenticeships through the government website here:
https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Good to know:
There is a 16-19 Bursory Fund which you can use to pay for course related expenses such as equipment, books and transport. Find out more @ https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund
If you have an Education, Health and Care plan you are entitled to support from an independent advocate. Contact clarejones@offtherecord-banes.uk or text 07872992881 for more information
If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, please contact off the record and access our listening support or counselling services. Tel 01225 312481 or go to our website at www.offtherecord-banes.co.uk
Missing out of the GCSE grades you wanted isn’t the end of the road. It is the beginning of your new route or a minor bypass in the pathway to your future!