Education chiefs in Suffolk have urged youngsters who fail to get the GCSE grades they want to take their time and consider alternatives such as apprenticeships and college courses ahead of GCSE results day this week.
Thousands of teenagers will pick up their results across the country on Thursday morning, and while many will be celebrating for others there will be disappointment.
But for those who feel A-levels are not for them or do not achieve the required grades, other options are available.
John Nice, spokesman for Easton and Otley College said: “The best advice we can give to people around results time is to stay calm.
“There are always lots of options for people to consider and college is naturally one of those options.
“It’s important to remember that the results don’t necessarily define you – but what you do next will.
“I probably underachieved in my GCSE results when I was younger but this only served to make me even more determined to work and study harder in the future so that I could get to where I wanted to go.”
For many, A-levels will not be a prospect that suits them, with more hands-on college courses, apprenticeships and traineeships available.
Apprenticeships allow youngsters to work towards a qualification while doing paid work in their relevant career field such as plumbing or joinery.
Traineeships are aimed at those aged 16-24 who do not have the skills to do an apprenticeship, but provides training and preparation to help people gain an apprenticeship or job in the future.
John Nice added: “At our Otley campus in Suffolk, we teach subjects such as agriculture, animal studies, construction, engineering, foundation learning, horse studies, horticulture, public services and tree surgery.
“These hands on vocational options have proved very popular over the years offering a mixture of practical and classroom based activities.”
For those who failed to achieve the grades needed to take up a sixth form place, the first port of call is checking whether they can still be accepted, or accepted onto a different course.
Some may have missed out by a handful of marks, but an option of having papers re-marked is available by speaking to school staff.
Gordon Jones, cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills at Suffolk County Council, said: “Whatever happens on the day, students will have lots of options to choose from after receiving their GCSE results; whether that’s continuing in full-time education through sixth form or college, or moving into employment through an apprenticeship or traineeship.
“Advice will be available from students’ schools as well as from colleges about what options might be possible.
“It’s important that students take time to explore their options so they can make the decision that is right for them.”
For more information on options and advice, visit The Source online here.
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