What to do if you have just got your GCSE results – advice from Careers in Eyecare

If you have just got your GCSE results you may be feeling relaxed – or you may be really worried. Your GCSE results can be key to your next steps at sixth form or college. But if things don’t work out how you hoped, there are alternatives for you to consider.

Just missed your grades?

If you are not far off what was needed to study your chosen subject you may be able to study it if your college has some flexibility. Go in on enrolment day and talk to them, with someone to support you if you need.

If your preferred College or school won’t let you study your subject of choice, maybe because they were asking for an 8 and you only got a 7, look at other places to study. Different colleges have different requirements for A levels and you may be able to have your choice of subjects elsewhere.

If you have missed out on a pass for Maths or English GSCE, don’t panic. Although this is often a requirement for sixth forms and colleges, they also often have the facility for you to resit alongside the first year of your course. Call them and find out.

Is college or sixth form right for you?

Look at apprenticeships as an alternative that allows you to earn as you learn. An apprenticeship can be an exciting way to gain your qualification whilst getting valuable on the job learning and experience too. Apprenticeships are available at different levels and in countless different subjects.

Investigate alternatives such as vocation-based qualifications. Colleges now offer a range of subjects at NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3. If your GCSEs weren’t enough to get you on a level 2 course, you could start with a level 1 course and work your way up.

Traineeships are also a great option if you are 16 – 24 (or 25 for individuals with an education and health care plan), and if you don’t have the skills or experience to take on a job or apprenticeship. You do an unpaid work placement alongside a training course. A traineeship takes from 6 weeks up to 1 year and will help prepare you for work or an apprenticeship. Find out more here.

T Levels are the next level qualification. They’ve have been created for 16–18-year-olds as an A level alternative. They are two-year courses which offer classroom based learning alongside an industry placement and are the equivalent of 3 A levels. T Levels have been created in collaboration with leading employers and businesses so that their content meets industry needs and prepares the student for work, further training or study. Find out more here.

So, there are plenty of options, and your local college is a great place to start to find out more. Give them a call or browse their website and fill in a contact form so someone can get in touch an dhelp you discover your next step.