This Thursday, 20th of August 2026, students all over the country have received their GCSE results. It’s an exciting, emotional and stressful time. There can be a lot to consider, but rather than feel overwhelmed, we’d like you to feel informed. In this blog, we will discuss next steps after your child has their final GCSE grades.
Celebration Time
GCSE examinations are not easy. Young people have a lot of content to learn, and from many subjects – some which they had little to no choice in choosing. It’s important, therefore, to celebrate big and small successes. It’s also important to remember that comparison is the thief of happiness, so focus only on what your child has achieved and don’t compare their grades to their peers or siblings. Whatever the results, take a moment to celebrate them; take some pictures, go for a meal, a celebratory walk and tell your child you are proud.
What Happens Next?
Today, young people will get a transcript of their grades, and their official certificates will be ready in a few months. Schools will usually invite pupils back to school for a celebration to handout the certificates amongst any other school rewards. These transcripts will be enough to use as evidence for colleges and sixth forms, and young people should now know if they will be accepted in for their chosen courses if they were relying on specific grades. Now, young people can go on to continue their education or begin apprenticeships. What happens if you didn’t get the grades you wanted or needed?
What to Do If Results Aren’t What Was Expected?
Firstly, don’t panic. Many colleges and sixth forms offer various levels of similar courses, so it might be that there is an option that requires lower grades. Students can also ask for a re-mark of their paper if they were on the boundary of a grade – most schools do this for their pupils, but it is worth asking about. In some cases it might be possible to re-sit a paper within a GCSE, and this is something that we at Cardiff & Vale Tutors can support with by providing you with information and a tutor that can guide you through the content to ensure a better outcome in the re-sit.
Other Paths and Functional Skills
At Cardiff & Vale Tutors we also offer ASDAN courses, which are an alternative pathway to GCSE’s and can be better suited to the needs of some learners, and we are a Functional Skills provider. We offer Functional Skills Level 1 and 2 in Maths and English. Level 2 is equivalent to a GCSE-and gains entry to College. We offer a tutor to provide the course and offer online exams in Functional Skills, which can be taken online and at home. Not all journeys to further education look the same because everyone learns in a way unique to them, therefore it is always worth trying something different.
We would love to hear how our tutees got on with their GCSE’s, so please do send a message to us or your tutor.
Well done to all picking up GCSE Results Today and all the best for your future from all at Cardiff & Vale Tutors!
This Blog was Written By Aleksandra Dul – QTS English Language and Literature Teacher
Do take a look at earlier blogs:
From Exams to Excellence: Preparing for the Next Academic Chapter – Cardiff Vale Tutors
Guide to Clearing- Part 1 – Cardiff Vale Tutors
Guide to Clearing- Part 2 – Cardiff Vale Tutors
Preparing for November GCSE Exams – Cardiff Vale Tutors
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Please feel free to arrange this with your existing tutor or note this on our Find a Tutor form. Please feel free to give us a call on 07817 322 741 to discuss further.
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