Need to talk to someone about your GCSE, A level or BTEC results?

Found your grades are higher or lower than expected and need to talk to someone?

Progress advisers will be at the following schools on results day:

  • Arts and Media School Islington (AMSI)
  • City of London Academy, Highgate Hill
  • City of London Academy, Islington (COLAi)
  • Holloway School
  • London Academy, Highbury Grove
  • New River College (NRC)
  • St Aloysius' College
  • St Mary Magdalene Academy

In addition, they offer duty drop in at Lift, Platform and Rosebowl on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

A level results are out on Thursday 16 August and GCSEs are available on Thursday 23 August, check out the A level and GCSE information below.

Also check out:

A levels or BTEC

If your A level or BTEC results are not what you expected, you may still get your firm or insurance offer even if you miss the entry requirements.

If you are using UCAS Clearing, it is important to research the courses available. Check UCAS Track first, as a university may decide to confirm your place despite your grades being different. If Track hasn’t been updated, phone the university or college and ask for a decision. If you don't get a place, there may be alternative courses on Clearing, so check the Clearing vacancies on the UCAS website or on individual university websites. If you find a course you like, phone the university or college and ask if they will offer you a place.

If you get better results than expected and they are higher than you need for your firm offer, you could consider looking at courses that were asking for higher grades. UCAS Adjustment allows you to look at applying to a university that may have previously rejected you, or enrolling on a course that required grades you were not predicted to achieve, and now have. Check out Adjustment for more information or speak to your careers adviser. If you are happy with your firm choice, that's great too, you don't have to look elsewhere.

You can consider delaying university or college for a year then re-applying in the autumn for courses starting in 2019. You may also want to think about other options, such as foundation degrees, part-time and distance learning degrees or work-related learning, such as intermediate, higher or degree apprenticeships. You can consider a foundation degree where entry requirements are lower, or you could build up your UCAS points by doing another level 3 course at a college, such as A levels or a one year BTEC course then reapply via UCAS next year or increase your employability skills by getting a job or apprenticeship.

GCSEs

If you haven’t met the GCSE entry requirements for the course or apprenticeship you have applied for, colleges or training providers may still make you an offer on the level below meaning that you’re studying at a level that much better suits your ability. You can then move on the following year, using the knowledge and experience you've gained.

Some colleges and sixth forms accept late applications, details should be on their website. If you need advice and guidance contact the Progress team as soon as possible.

You can also think about going straight into work with training and some students find apprenticeships, which offer employment and training leading to nationally recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships are often a great alternative to full-time study - vacancies are still being advertised - check out the vacancy bulletins in News on the Izzy-info.com home page.

If you're unhappy with your GCSE results, you may want to leave studying behind but it’s government policy that all young people will remain in learning until they are 18 - this is called Raising the Participation Age (RPA) - you don’t have to stay at school; you can remain in learning via an apprenticeship, traineeship or a full-time college or training provider course and more.

Whatever your results, remember there are lots of ways to reach your goals. Many successful people have changed their plans too, so try to stay positive and get the advice you need.

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