Exam results

You may not be the one going into that examination room, but it is going to feel as though you are. It is unlikely that you will be the one opening the dreaded envelope, but that is not going to stop you feeling nervous. If the news is bad, you will need to share the disappointment, yet remain objective and encouraging.

You need to discuss honestly why the results are poor. It could be that the subjects chosen were not the right ones, or that they were too academic and that a more vocational approach would be the way forward. It could be that the results were down to either too little or too much revision. Sometimes students take on too much, sometimes they simply become bored.

It may be that the results are perfectly adequate for another course or university or college. In that case, Clearing provides a way forward. If not, resits take place in January or June.

It could be that the university or college will accept your son or daughter with lower grades. Why not ring and ask?

Another solution or part of the answer may be to gain a grounding in a new subject over the coming academic year.

A gap year might provide time to think over the options available while, for example, working or becoming involved in a life-enhancing project.

The decision to start on a career without entering higher education is also perfectly valid.

Make sure that they know the options available so that they can make an informed decision.