Guidance for A-level and GCSE results days

14 Aug 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

A-LEVEL RESULTS DAY

This year A-level results day is Thursday, August 15.

You can usually pick your results up early on the day - but remember to check timings with your school.  

You can sometimes ask for them to either be sent by post, ring in for them or nominate a friend or family member to pick them up on your behalf - but this will need to be arranged with your school beforehand.

If you’re going to school to collect your results, it’s a good idea to take a fully charged phone, a notepad, a pen, and any information you would need if you needed to apply through clearing (UCAS details, information about other courses, your personal statement and your GCSE results).

When are A-level results released?

UCAS updates ‘Track’ around 8am, which means you could find out if you got a university place before you get your results!

If your place is confirmed, UCAS will send you your AS12 letter by email (? your UCAS confirmation letter will appear on the page within five to seven days of the confirmation?), which will explain your next steps.

How can I find out about grade boundaries?

Grade boundaries will be published on the individual exam board's website on results day.

Each board has its own set of grade boundaries which change annually. You can check these on their websites at:
AQA
Edexcel
OCR
CCEA
WJEC

What is UCAS Track? 

UCAS Track is an online system through which students submit their university or college applications. 

It allows you to follow the progress of your application and will let you know on the morning of results day whether you got into your chosen institution. 

You can expect to see the following changes to offers on your Track:

• Unconditional - your place on the course has been confirmed. This may be your firm or insurance offer, or both.
• Unsuccessful - you've not been accepted by your choice(s). You're now eligible to enter Clearing.
• Unconditional Changed Course (UCC) - you don't have the necessary grades for your offer, but the university has proposed a similar course requiring lower grades. They may also offer an alternative start date, such as deferred entry. You have five days to decide and can discuss the opportunity with the university in question.

If you’re missed your grades by just a few marks, you should talk to the university in question.  While they’re under no obligation to reconsider their decision, they may listen to you if you plan to appeal any grades.

You can request a review of marking or moderation by the exam boards - see GOV.UK's guide for regulating A-levels. This can only be done through your school or college and you need to start the review process as soon as possible.   Keep your chosen university informed of your plans, and make sure you send them your results by August 31. Ask for their terms and conditions following a review so that you know where you stand.

You should also be aware that there is no grade protection for marking reviews. This means that your marks and subject grades could be lowered, confirmed or raised following the review. There may also be a charge.  Discuss all of thiswith your subject teacher before making a final decision.


What to do if you get better grades than you expected?

If you're interested in applying to a different university, then you can go through the UCAS adjustment process.

You'll need to call up any universities you're thinking of swapping to, let them know about your circumstance and see if they have any places available.

What happens if I don't get a university place?

If you don't get a place for your firm university choice, you might be offered a place with your insurance choice depending on your results. 

You could also be offered an alternative course by the university, which you will need to accept or decline.

But neither your firm or insurance is successful, you'll be entered into clearing.

What is clearing and do I have to do it?

Clearing allows students who have not received any offers, missed the conditions or rejected all their offers to apply for courses at universities that still have places available.

You'll need to register and make an application as normal to do so, including your personal statement - but you don't have to apply through clearing.

If you're successful, you'll simply have a place a different university. 

Read how to make the most of the university clearing process.
Funding your further education:
Find out more about how to fund your education at student loans and finance.
What to do if you don't get the grades you wanted?

If are not successful or don't want to go through clearing, you have other options, including:
 

• retaking your A-Levels and applying again next year; or
• getting a job, taking a college course or doing a traineeship or apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships are a great way of entering the world of work while also studying towards an
occupational qualification. If you are thinking of apprenticeships and traineeships, then more
information is available from our specialist apprenticeship team. You can call 01670 622104
or email apprenticeships@northumberland.gov.uk

There are 2 options to apply for an apprenticeship:

1. Visit North East Jobs for a full list of apprenticeships vacancies within Northumberland
County Council at https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/default.aspx?page=orghome&orgid=719

OR

2. Search for an apprenticeship with the apprenticeship service where you will see all
vacancies from all providers at https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Northumberland County Council is running a new apprenticeship in adult social care - called
Care for Life - and is recruiting NOW! You can find out more here: www.careforlife.org.uk
or by phoning 01670 622104.

You may also like to take a break from study before applying for university again the following year.  Consider exploring gap year ideas or a country where you’d like to spend a year working abroad.


GCSE RESULTS DAY

This year, GCSE results day is Thursday, August 22.

You can usually pick your results up early on the day but remember to check timings with your school.  

You can sometimes ask for them to either be sent by post, ring in for them or nominate a friend or family member to pick them up on your behalf but this will need to be arranged with your school beforehand.

You want to stay on for Sixth Form?

If you want to stay on at Sixth Form, you will have to complete an enrolment form.  Please make sure you check with your school to make sure that you know how and when to complete this.  You will have to either confirm or change your subject choices too.

If you want to change a subject choice, you will most likely be required to speak to teachers before this can be confirmed but, again, please check how to do this.  Generally no guarantees can be made to any changes requested and places will be subject to availability. Students will be kept fully informed during the process.

Students who do not attain the grades required for entry onto their chosen courses will be advised on results day what they need to do next. This may include a discussion about your results and any other potential course options open to you. Your school will help you with this, and explore all of the options available to you.  

If you don’t get the grades required to stay on in Sixth Form your school will help you to discuss other paths. 

Leaving school:

You might be interested in going on to study at a local college or further education training provider and your school or the Careers Guidance team will be able to provide further advice and guidance about this.

Apprenticeships are a great way of entering the world of work while also studying towards an occupational qualification. If you are thinking of apprenticeships and traineeships, then more information is available from our specialist apprenticeship team. You can call 01670 622104 or email apprenticeships@northumberland.gov.uk.

There are 2 options to apply for an apprenticeship:

1. Visit North East Jobs for a full list of apprenticeships vacancies within Northumberland
County Council at https://www.northeastjobs.org.uk/default.aspx?page=orghome&orgid=719

OR

2. Search for an apprenticeship with the apprenticeship service where you will see all vacancies from all providers at https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship 

Northumberland County Council is running a new apprenticeship in adult social care - called Care for Life - and is recruiting NOW! You can find out more here: www.careforlife.org.uk or by phoning 01670 622104

If you still need advice about your next steps, contact the Careers Guidance Team. They are independent and impartial advisers, and offer regular weekly appointments across the county or can provide you with support over the phone.

For further information go to www.northumberland.gov.uk/education/learning/careers.

Alternatively call 01670 622 799 or email careersteam@northumberland.gov.uk

Generation North East can also help young people aged 16-29. The team offers employment support to help you into jobs, apprenticeships, traineeships, work experience and further training. They work very closely with local businesses and provide bespoke support to help young people get connected to the opportunities available.  The Digital Advisers provide support remotely, using Facebook, document sharing, phone, text message, iMessage, Whatsapp and various other methods.

You might prefer face to face support in which case you will have a local advisor who will meet young people in a variety of community venues across the county. Our employment advisers are there to support customers from the start of their journey right through until they have been in employment for 6 months.

For more  information contact andrea.suffield@northumberland.gov.uk or call 01670 623895 or 07825 826223.