Get ready for results day: top tips for before, during and after

Results day is one of the most nerve-wracking days of the school year - for pupils and teachers too! Whether it’s your A-level students finding out if they got into their uni of choice or your GCSE pupils seeing if their hard work paid off, for these 2 Thursdays in August emotions are often running high. 

Supporting your students through these momentous days is essential for helping them navigate their next steps and taking stock of everything they’ve achieved. Whether they got the grades they hoped for or not, it’s important that your pupils know you’re there for them and can help them through. 

With that in mind, here’s our guide to effectively supporting your pupils during this pivotal time: 
 

Before results day 

Before the big day there are a few things to think about to best prepare your pupils (and their parents) on what to expect: 

• Comms: Make sure you communicate clearly with pupils and parents when and where they can collect their results. Setting out clear communications about what to expect, what to bring and where to find further information will help the day run smoothly. Make sure you think about all communication channels from signs on campus to emails and social media posts. 
   
• Support: It can be hard to support pupils when they’re on summer break. However, it’s important that before the day you signpost places they can get extra support if they’re nervous and provide advice in advance on what to do with their results. You may want to do this throughout the school year to lay the foundations. By helping pupils understand their options, whatever grades they achieve, you’re helping them develop resilience and coping skills that will set them up for success. 
   

On the day 

When results day finally arrives, make sure you're prepped with these 3 pivotal support systems: 

• Information hubs: Creating designated areas for pupils and parents to get extra information, including on next steps, Clearing or resits, is essential. Having staff on these hubs throughout the day gives pupils somewhere to go to talk through what their results mean, and offers space for emotional support too if things haven’t gone to plan. 
   
• Results day hotline: Implementing a results day hotline, over phone, email or online chat, can be a great way to help students and parents. This can be particularly useful for students who don’t feel comfortable asking for help in person or those who have questions about next steps after their results have sunk in. 
   
• Staff on hand to support: Many of your teachers will want to be there on the day to cheer their pupils on. Making sure you have staff around throughout the day is important so pupils don’t feel alone in their experience. They can offer immediate support to pupils who are disappointed in their results or unsure about their next steps. And they can help celebrate their students' successes. 
   

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Supporting after the day 

Don't forget to follow up in the days and weeks after to keep up that support and make sure no one falls through the cracks: 

• Advice on Clearing: For A-Level students who didn’t get into their first choice of university (or who did better than expected), holding advice sessions on the UCAS Clearing process can be really helpful. These sessions, whether in person or online, can guide them through finding available courses, making calls to universities, and updating their personal statement if necessary.
   
• Appeals process guidance: Some students might wish to appeal their results if they feel their marks were unfair. Providing clear guidance on the appeals process, deadlines, and the potential outcomes is important to help them make informed decisions. This may be something pupils (and parents) feel more comfortable discussing in private or from home. 
   
• Get support for your resitters: The gap between results day and resits can feel huge. You’re often out of school and trying your hardest to improve your grades. This is where schools, Sixth Forms and colleges can offer additional support such as tutoring to help teens get it right the second time around. 
   

Don’t forget to stay in touch

Looking to more long-term activities, here are some things to think about in the following months: 

• Alumni network: If your school has one, encourage students who are leaving to join your alumni network. This network can provide ongoing support and advice as well as foster a sense of school community. It’s always great to see where your students end up next. 
   
• Follow-up comms: In the week or month after results day, it can be helpful to get feedback from students and check in on how they’re doing. Whether they’re returning for Sixth Form or off on a new adventure, it can help bridge the gap and build community to follow up and check there’s no one in need of additional support. 
   
• Reflect on your year: Results day is a big moment for schools and teachers too. Before the new term kicks off, it can be a helpful moment to pause and ask yourself:  ‘What went well?’, ‘What could we improve on next year?’ and ‘What do I need extra support with next time?’. Don’t forget to celebrate your hard work too! 
   

Involve parents

Finally, don't forget that results day is a big day for parents too! 

• Engage parents: Before, during and after, it’s important to keep your parent community involved in the process. From providing information on how best to support their child to sending out practical updates on the exam and results process, there’s lots of key information parents need during this time. 

We have lots of helpful resources for parents you can share, such as: 

> A parents' guide to UCAs clearing 

> Supporting your teen this results day

> What to do if results day doesn’t go to plan

> How to help your teen choose a university course
 

There are many ways of supporting pupils before, during and after results day. We know you’ll likely have your process honed and perfected, we hope this list helps you double-check your plans and even spark some new ideas. 

While not everyone will get the results they’re after this August, it’s still an important time to celebrate all the work that you and your pupils have put in. Just completing exams will be a huge achievement for some teens and for many this is just the beginning of their journey! 

For more information on supporting your students with resits and beyond, get in touch with our team today.